MX23RW : Monday, March 16 00:50:20| >> :120:3840:3840:
Feb 27, 2020 at 8pm UK at Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,242
Arsenal
1-2
Olympiacos
Aubameyang (113')
FT
(aet)
Abou Cisse (53'), El-Arabi (120')

Martin Keown: 'Arsenal have only themselves to blame for Olympiacos defeat'

Keown: 'Arsenal have only themselves to blame'
© Reuters
Martin Keown says that Arsenal have only got themselves to blame for the manner of their defeat against Olympiacos in the Europa League round of 32.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has said that the Gunners "have only themselves to blame" as they crashed out of the Europa League in the round-of-32 phase against Olympiacos last night.

Having taken a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Greece, Mikel Arteta's side produced an underwhelming performance at the Emirates as Youssef El Arabi's extra-time winner sent the 44-time Greek champions through at the expense of the North London outfit.

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Keown said: "Well, I am absolutely devastated to be here. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, I mean, we started the evening, didn't we, talking about his quality and the ball landed at his feet there, an opportunity to rescue it for Arsenal.

"But you cannot turn up at a game and play in the manner that they did. Credit to Olympiacos, look at the way they are celebrating. They deserved to take their chances.

"Arsenal, they had that Achilles heel from set-pieces. I'm not sure what Bernd Leno was doing at the end of the game, there, taking liberties, and then they were punished, and they have only got themselves to blame.

"There is a lot of work to be done at Arsenal Football Club, we have to say. Obviously we will reflect on this, but the rebuilding of this football club has to start now.

"Yes, Arteta is in charge and there are lots of changes looking ahead, but the commitment was not there from the off and you get punished at this level."

The defeat ended a 10-game unbeaten run for Arteta's side, who lie ninth in the Premier League table.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts on February 27, 2020
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