UEFA Champions League Group B wrap: Greeks shock Arsenal

Olympiakos came from behind to beat Arsenal in Piraeus, as the Gunners finished runners-up in Group B behind Schalke.

Thomas Rosicky had put the away side into the lead before second-half goals from Giannis Maniatis and Kostas Mitroglou earned the Greek side a surprise victory.

Arsenal started well with Gervinho bursting past Kostas Manolas down the left before skewing a shot wide from inside the box.

A one-two with Rosicky saw the Ivorian play Marouane Chamakh through on goal, but Vassilis Torossidis was able to get back and disposess the Moroccan.

Olympiakos looked lively down their own left flank through Torossidis and Abdoun; The Greek fullback had a header cleared off the line by Rosicky and Abdoun forced Wojciech Szczesny into a good save either side of a fluffed half-volley from Aaron Ramsey.

The game was increasingly becoming an end-to-end shoot-out with Gervinho especially dangerous on the counter, though his poor decision-making brought several attacks to a premature end.

Eventually the Ivorian got it right, jinking into the box before cutting the ball back to the edge of the area for Rosicky to curl into the far corner via the palms of Roy Carroll just before half-time.

Andrey Arshavin replaced the Czech goalscorer after the break and brought even more speed to Arsenal’s attack on the break. The Russian had a chance to double the lead but headed Chamakh’s cross over the bar from 10-yards.

Olympiakos, playing only for pride, continued to push forward, affording Arsenal space to break into. Abdoun’s neat through-ball was prodded wide by Ljubomir Fejsa before another swift Gunners counter saw Arshavin’s stinging shot clawed away by Carroll.

Drissa Diakite’s floated cross met the head of Paulo Machado, and the Portuguese midfielder’s header was tipped behind by Szczesny (who claimed he had not touched the ball).

From the resulting corner, Kostas Manolas’ header ricocheted off the chest of Ramsey and into the path of Maniatis who buried the ball in the net.

The Greek champions pressed for a winner immediately, as Djebbour headed Machado’s cross wide from close range.

Substitute Mitroglou was more clinical however, creating a yard of space on the edge of the box before curling a low shot past the outstretched arm of Szczesny and into the bottom corner.

Schalke finished as winners of Group B after a Benedikt Howedes goal earned a 1-1 draw with Montpellier.

The Germany defender nodded home from close range after Christoph Metzelder flicked on Julian Draxler’s free kick after a tame opening 50 minutes in France, but a quickfire equaliser from Emanuel Herrera was enough to earn the hosts a deserved share of the spoils.