Arsenal Defeat Olympiacos 2-0 with Odegaard Leading the Charge

Arsenal continued their strong start to the 2025-26 Champions League campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Olympiacos on October 1, 2025. The Gunners, playing at the Emirates Stadium, showed a controlled, attacking performance that highlighted the importance of their captain, Martin Odegaard, in the squad.

Early Dominance and First Goal

From the opening whistle, Arsenal dictated the tempo. Odegaard was central to almost every attacking move, demonstrating exceptional vision and passing range. In the 12th minute, a swift Arsenal counter saw Viktor Gyokeres carry the ball forward before Odegaard delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Gabriel Martinelli, who calmly finished past the Olympiacos goalkeeper to give the hosts an early lead. The goal highlighted Odegaard’s creativity and ability to unlock defenses, reinforcing his value to Arteta’s side.

Sustained Pressure and Key Opportunities

Following the opener, Arsenal maintained possession and pressed aggressively, with Odegaard orchestrating play from the midfield. Several promising chances went begging, including a curling effort from Martinelli that narrowly missed the post and a close-range header from Gyokeres saved by the Olympiacos keeper. Eberechi Eze, the club’s big summer signing, came on as a substitute and looked lively, but Odegaard’s control and consistency throughout the match set the benchmark.

Late Goal Seals the Victory

The second half saw Olympiacos push forward in search of an equalizer, testing Arsenal’s defensive organization. David Raya was called into action multiple times, making vital saves to keep the Gunners ahead. In stoppage time, Odegaard once again demonstrated his playmaking ability, threading a perfect pass to Bukayo Saka, who slotted home with composure to secure the 2-0 win. The assist underlined Odegaard’s influence on the game and his role as Arsenal’s creative fulcrum.

Odegaard’s performance was widely praised by pundits, with many noting his range of passing, game intelligence, and leadership. His display may complicate Eze’s path to a regular starting role, as Arteta now has the option to build a midfield around Odegaard’s presence while integrating Eze strategically. Analysts also highlighted the combination between Odegaard, Martinelli, and Saka as a key factor in Arsenal’s attacking threat, giving the Gunners multiple options to break down opponents.

This win boosts Arsenal to six points at the top of their group, giving them a strong platform for the next round of fixtures. Odegaard’s performances are sending a clear message about his importance to the team, potentially shaping selection decisions and influencing how new signings like Eze are utilized in key matches.

Arsenal fans will be hoping that the captain’s form continues, as the Gunners aim to make a deep run in Europe while maintaining consistency in the Premier League.