Why Mikel Arteta exploded at William Saliba as seven Arsenal stars suffer knocks

Mikel Arteta was unhappy with Arsenal even after they opened the scoring through Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli made it two goals in as many Champions League matches as Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners over Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium. The Brazilian could not believe his luck when he stabbed home inside the six-yard box after Viktor Gyokeres' shot was saved and then rolled onto the post.

The Gunners huffed and puffed but were unable to blow the visitors away after squandering a number of chances and there were also a few defensive scares as Olympiacos pushed for an equaliser.

David Raya was in impressive form between the sticks for the hosts and he made a number of key saves to ensure Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent winning start in Europe before Bukayo Saka added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time.

Why Arteta shouted at Saliba

Seconds after Arsenal had opened the scoring through Gabriel Martinelli, the TV cameras panned to Mikel Arteta and incredibly, he was not best pleased. It seems strange to say but the Spaniard appeared to be irked with his side's lack of defensive solidity in the opening exchanges and he was bellowing instructions towards William Saliba in particular.

Just prior to the goal, Olympiacos had launched a long punt up the field and Saliba came across to clear the danger, only for the ball to land on his back and trickle fortuitously to goalkeeper David Raya. It was the kind of action that quite easily could have ended up in disaster and additionally, it was the second time that Arsenal's defence had failed to deal with an awkward, early aerial ball.

Arteta was furious and assistant coach Gabriel Heinze also wade in as the managerial duo looked to tighten things up at the back. During the discussions with Saliba, Arteta also seemed to indicate that he wanted the Frenchman to make himself available as quickly as possible when Raya was in possession.

Olympiacos' press was not overly aggressive and that meant Arsenal were able to build their attacks from the back if they were cute in possession. This season, Arteta has made no secret of the fact he's been encouraging his Gunners to be more direct - as in front to back - when there is an opportunity to do so but they do also relish the chance to play through the thirds.

Saliba, fresh off the back of signing his bumper new five-year deal at the Emirates, quickly settled into the contest following the early blip - even though both him and Gabriel Magalhaes had to be on their toes up against Moroccan frontman Ayoub El Kaabi.

William Saliba started the game slightly slowly but marshalled Arsenal to yet another clean sheet

Albert Stuivenberg roars for Ben White

Arsenal assistant Albert Stuivenberg was animated - just like Arteta - during the first half and he was up on his feet on the touchline shadowing the Spaniard. He was coaching Ben White throughout the opening 20 minutes as the visitors looked more threatening from the left flank where ex-Wolves attacker Daniel Podence looked sharp.

White has had a tough time with a niggling injury this season and Jurrien Timber seems to have made the right-back role his own. When the Dutchman was sidelined after undergoing ACL surgery, it's easy to forget just how good White was rampaging up the Arsenal right.

He put a lot into training this summer during a time when he became a father and while he is slowly building his fitness, he can be happy with a solid night's work against Olympiacos. During one phase of play in the first half, he pressed like a madman and made a block that delighted Stuivenberg so much, he let out a loud roar from the Arsenal bench.

The England international came off on the hour mark and while he looked a tad rusty, he did put some brilliant inviting balls into the penalty area to offer a timely reminder of his attacking quality.

Bukayo Saka made it 2-0 for Arsenal

Martinelli's Gyokeres frustration

Martinelli and Gyokeres could easily have run riot in the first half. While the Brazilian netted the opener after Gyokeres' strike was saved and then rolled against the post, the duo must have been left wondering how they didn't score more between them.

Their movement and willingness to run in behind was quite brilliant but when it came to sticking the ball in the net, the pair lacked composure. Not long before half-time, the Swede went racing through on goal and he could easily have squared to Martinelli to role into an empty net.

Strikers are always going to prioritise shooting and scoring goals but Martinelli knew he could have had a tap in for his second of the evening. He threw his hands up in frustration and was notably dejected that the move came to nothing.

In truth, there were also opportunities where Martinelli could have done better, none less than the opening two minutes when he headed wide from Myles Lewis-Skelly's pinpoint cross. Gyokeres also blasted an effort over the bar after being put through on goal by Martin Odegaard.

Gabriel Martinelli struck the opener for Arsenal

Night of knocks

Arsenal were pushed to the limit by Olympiacos and a number of players were also in the wars throughout a fiercely-contested battle. Gyokeres was winded in the first half after taking a shoulder to the chest. He took his time but battled through the issue on a night where he did not stop running.

Mikel Merino also suffered a knee injury scare in the second half when he was brought to ground. An Olympiacos defender appeared to fall on top of him but he seemed to eventually be okay, despite moving gingerly.

Defender White also took a whack to the back in the first half while his replacement Timber was limping after just five minutes of entering the field in the second half with what appeared to be an ankle issue.

Even Gabriel went to ground on 72 minutes after goalkeeper Raya had landed on top of him when gathering the ball. The Brazilian received treatment on his lower neck, although it didn't appear to be serious, though he was still replaced by Cristhian Mosquera as a precaution.

Martin Zubimendi also suffered a knock in stoppage time while Lewis-Skelly took a blow to his lower back.

Martin Odegaard dazzled for Arsenal

Odegaard magic

Martin Odegaard was back to his free-flowing best and he appeared to be freed up in the Arsenal midfield. While the Norwegian usually operates from the right of a midfield three, he seemed to have more freedom tonight - playing almost exclusively as a No.10.

His playmaking was a sight to behold and even though it's been a stop-start beginning to the new season for the Gunners captain, this was the perfect way to bounce back on his first start since the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. His curling ball to feed Gyokeres in on goal before the break was mesmerising - as were his deft touches and pirouettes after the break.

It would be interesting to know if Arteta felt both Odegaard and Eberechi Eze were capable of playing in midfield together, although that is unlikely to happen given it would mean dropping one of Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi. Between the creative duo, Arsenal's attack would have a frightening amount of chances to feed off.

Nonetheless, it still feels like Odegaard's spot to lose given he is the skipper and this was a step in the right direction following his recent issues battling a shoulder problem. He was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch and it's hard to understand how he did not score on 82 minutes to wrap up the victory - though fittingly, he then teed up Saka to cap the win.