It was a great way for us to be able to go to Europe and as well, it's a very beautiful competition to try to win. “We showed that when we are at our best and don’t make silly mistakes, we can compete and that definitely gives confidence and belief to everyone.”.Sandwiched between the two legs against Arsenal is the small matter of playing PAOK in the Greek Super League. Match ends, Olympiakos 0, Arsenal 1. Ozil crossed into the middle where Gabriel Martinelli contested a header and the loose ball dropped to Aubameyang to finish with an acrobatic bicycle kick.However, despite just six minutes remaining, it would not be the end of the drama as El Arabi swept home in the final moments to send the away fans into raptures.There was still time for one more chance and it fell to Aubameyang, but this time the Gunners skipper, who had just the goalkeeper to beat, could only fire wide from six yards out as a chance of silverware and a path to the Champions League disappeared for Arteta and Arsenal.

The defender also captains his country, who have their most exciting crop of players for decades.The 19-year-old Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard are the standout names in the team and the youngsters regularly lean on their captain’s experience.Elabdellaoui knows what it takes to beat Arsenal but doing it again could kickstart a four-month period that will potentially define his career, and would leave him with plenty more knowledge to impart.Available for everyone, funded by readers.© 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies.

Arsenal were sent crashing out of the Europa League on away goals after Olympiakos stunned Mikel Arteta's side with a 2-1 victory (2-2 on aggregate) to book their place in the last 16. There are always rumours and I know other teams have shown some interest but that’s it for me. Arsenal won the first leg in Greece 1-0 and arguably should have had a few goals more if Alexandre Lacazette had his shooting boots on. Arsenal host Greek champions Olympiacos at the Emirates following a 1-0 win in Piraeus in last Thursday's Europa League last-32 first leg. Captain talks before the Europa League tie about the fans’ passion, his time at Manchester City and a possible Premier League return,Olympiakos are regulars in Europe and feel they could finally be on the verge of making the progress the team and their passionate fans desire. That's the first thing I have to do. Olympiakos had begun as if determined to blow their opponents away and, in doing so, stop Arsenal’s hopes of Champions League qualification in their tracks.

All rights reserved.Olympiakos' Omar Elabdellaoui aims to stun Arsenal for a second time,a 3-2 Champions League victory at Arsenal in 2015,doesn’t look like he needs much advice at the moment. It’s a must-win game for us against PAOK, too. “We are always strong and that is because of our fans; the stadium goes wild every time, there’s a lot of passion and the atmosphere is always great.“It is difficult for teams to play here due to the atmosphere our fans make and it gives us extra drive.

We have big goals as a team and so do I personally, as I want to do great things this season with Olympiakos: to win the league, the cup and have a good run in Europe. Elabdellaoui, the captain, was in the team that earned.“I’ve been here for some years now and we’ve always done better at home,” Elabdellaoui, 28, says from Athens.

It's part of this sport that a big disappointment can happen and it happened tonight. I’ve not paid too much attention.”.There is more uncertainty about Elabdellaoui’s summer plans as Norway face a play-off for a Euro 2020 place.