Arsenal advance in Europa League despite Olympiacos defeat

Arsenal v Olympiacos – UEFA Europa League – Round of Sixteen – Second Leg – Emirates Stadium
(Image credit: Adam Davy)

Arsenal claimed their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League despite defeat to Olympiacos in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

The Gunners were beaten 1-0 on Thursday at the Emirates Stadium but the result could not prevent Mikel Arteta’s side prevailing 3-2 on aggregate.

After a tight first half, Youssef El-Arabi, who also scored in the first leg, weaved through the box to score and give the Greeks hope after 51 minutes.

Olympiacos’ hopes were ended when Ousseynou Ba was sent off

Olympiacos’ hopes were ended when Ousseynou Ba was sent off (Adam Davy/PA)

But Arsenal resisted further damage and the visitors’ hopes were ended when Ousseynou Ba was sent off for a second bookable offence seven minutes from time.

Roma cruised through as they claimed a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in Kiev to win 5-1 on aggregate.

Spanish striker Borja Mayoral scored both goals for the Italian side either side of a reply from Junior Moraes.

LaLiga side Granada reached the last eight despite going down to a last-gasp defeat at the hands of Molde in Norway.

An own goal from Jesus Vallejo and a last-minute penalty from Eirik Hestad gave the Norwegians a 2-1 success but Granada, who scored a crucial away goal through substitute Roberto Soldado, had enough for a 3-2 aggregate triumph.