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Summary Arsenal maintained its perfect start to the Champions League by beating Olympiakos 3-1.
Arsenal maintained its perfect start to the Champions League on Wednesday, with Gervinho, Lukas Podolski and Aaron Ramsey scoring in a 3-1 victory over Olympiakos.Gervinhos 43rd minute-opener was quickly canceled out as Kostas Mitroglou headed the Greek champions level before halftime, but Arsenal was back in control after the break to ensure it stayed top of Group B.Gervinho turned provider in the 56th, picking out Podolski in the penalty area and the Germans shot went straight through the legs of goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri into the net.Ramsey made sure of the victory in stoppage time, dinking the ball over Megyeri as Arsenal made a lightning attack.Arsenal beat Montpellier 2-1 in the Group B opener two weeks ago, when Olympiakos lost to Schalke.The Gunners were looking for an immediate response to its first loss of the season on Saturday at the hands of Chelsea and they got it.With manager Arsene Wenger again looking on from the stands as he serves a touchline ban from UEFA, Arsenal pressed with verve and conviction inspired by Cazorla from the start, and it was the Spanish midfielder who came close to giving Arsenal an early lead. His free kick was destined for the top of the net until Megyeri produced a fingertip save.Megyeris opposite number Vito Mannone also had to be alert to block a low strike from Mitroglou from the edge of the area.An edginess has returned to Arsenals defense after a solid start to the season, and looked like being exploited again.A cross from Giannis Maniatis was allowed to find its way into the penalty area and Arsenal was only rescued by Paulo Machados poor finishing, as he scuffed a shot over the bar from close range with the goal at his mercy.But Olympiakos defense was breached first as Gibbs and Lukas Podolski combined down the left flank and the ball reached the edge of the penalty area where Gervinho seized it and struck a low shot into the net.The visitors immediately pushed for the equalizer, but Machado was too rushed as he shot from distance and Mannone easily collected the ball.They succeeded a minute later, though. Lenadro Greco sent a precise cross from the right flank into the penalty area where Mitroglou rose between the center backs to plant a header into the net.Arsenals first chance to go back in front in the second half was squandered when Cazorla missed the target after Gervinho did the hard work, cutting the ball back to his unmarked teammate in front of goal.But after Gervinhos interplay with Cazorla on the right, Podolski put Arsenal in front, with a shot through the legs of Megyeri, which the goalkeeper also helped to divert into the net.Mannone started the move that led to the third, with a long throw flicked on by Olivier Giroud to fellow substitute Ramsey. The midfielder went past captain Giannis Maniatis and cooly lifted the ball over the onrushing Megyeri.
