Leonardo 47

An incredibly young and inexperienced Arsenal side, including the eye-catchingly named Tom Cruise, lost their final Champions League Group H encounter but put up a very creditable showing.

Brazilian left-back Leonardo took advantage of momentary indecision in Arsenal’s defence to sweep the Greek side into a 47^th minute lead.

And there were chances at both ends throughout an entertaining second half, with the impressive Aaron Ramsey denied a late equaliser by a clearance off the line from the ubiquitous Leonardo and Mexican striker Carlos Vela spurning two glorious opportunities.

Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski also made some fine saves. And it was smiles – and handshakes - at the final whistle as the hosts only needed a point to make the last 16.

Indeed, Olympiacos looked set up for a draw, allowing Arsenal considerable possession and relying on quick counter-attacks.

It made for a dull first-half. Arsenal played neat possession football but only fashioned one half-chance, Theo Walcott warming Greek keeper Antonis Nikopolidis’s hands in the ninth minute with a fiercely struck right-foot shot from 15 yards.

The hosts had a number of off-target efforts, Argentine international Luciano Galletti coming closest when his 20^th minute effort struck the side-netting.

But they took the lead when the ball ran loose after a strong challenge in the centre-circle by centre-half Kyle Bartley and Leonardo flew through the gap in the defence before nutmegging the on-rushing Fabianski.

Ramsey superbly set up Vela three minutes later only for Vela’s shot to strike Nikopolidis and produced an even better pass for Walcott on 66 minutes, whose shot was excellently blocked by Raul Bravo.

Vela was wasteful again four minutes later, toe-poking over the bar after Fran Merida’s slide rule pass.

But Fabianski saved well from Leonardo and Kostas Mitroglu late on before Ramsey was inches away from an equaliser with his scrambled effort from a corner.