It’s 12:53 and the game is kicking off in just a few minutes. Let’s watch along together.

Here’s the Starting XI:

• GK Raya
• RB Ben White
• CB Saliba
• CB Gabriel
• LB Lewis-Skelly
• CM Zubimendi
• CM Merino
• CM Odegaard
• RW Martinelli
• ST Gyokeres
• LW Trossard

Something like that. Martinelli and Trossard may end up being on opposite sides.

-The lads are in the tunnel. The Gunners wearing red socks, white shorts, and black track jackets as the epic and iconic Champions League intro music brings even more life to the packed Emirates Stadium.

-I guess I expect this to be something like 4-1 or 4-0. Gyokeres should score three or so. Yep, that’s what I like.

Martinelli starts the game on the right as expected.

-Big burst from Lewis Skelly up the left and he crossed a ball in perfectly for Martinelli who guided the header wide of the post. What a chance missed early in the game! 2nd Minute

– Arsenal wins a foul thirty yards from goal on the left. Odegaard delivers in a nice ball but its dealt with by the defenders and evetually out for a goal kick. Arsenal are lively. 3rd minute.

-Martinelli Goal! The Brazilian gets the credit. He tapped the ball into an open goal that had rebounded off the goalie and then the post before spinning in orbit at his feet. He had the easy part, but he did it. 1-0! 13th minute.

-Every player has played well so far through twenty minutes. Raya just made a brilliant save to keep the game 1-0

-Strong runs by Gyokeres but hasn’t been able to get a clean shot away thus far. 34th minute.

-OLY has had two decent chances 37th Minute.

-The game certainly has slowed since the first fifteen minutes. Arsenal in definite control. 39th Minute

-HALF 1-0

I like the energy that was brought in the first five minutes. Confident, high-energy play that set an early tone for the early goal. Every player has played well so far, but we need to do better finishing shots. Pretty decent chances being placed well off target. Let’s see if the Gunners can get 2-3 second half goals and put this one to bed.

Olympiacos have done enough to have a couple of chances but haven’t threatened with any kind of consistency.

It’s been quite a mellow game. Kind of like a game that’s just going through the motions, but tons of firepower on the Arsenal bench. EZE and Saka to name the two that I would bring on first.

IN OTHER GAMES:

• Barcelona is 1-1 at half with PSG
• Man City up 2-1 over Monaco

The Gunners are on their way back out onto the field. Let’s get three more goals or so. Let’s have some fun. Odegaard needs to get at least two assists or pass to assist. Let’s flex this half.

Arsenal are moving right to left on the tv screen. The visitors wearing dark gray and Arsenal in the classic home red and white.

-Not much to report.

-Rice on for Merino and Timber on for White 58th Minute

– Yellow Card Gabriel for perhaps wasting time. I’m not sure. The Cameras didn’t show it.

-Yellow Card Zubimedi 62nd Minute

-Saka and Eze on for Martinelli and Trossard. 73rd Minute. It’s time to cook. Still a slow 1-0. It feels like at any point the visitors could equalize. Need to get real sturdy or pile on a second and third. I’d rather score.

-Mosquera on for Gabriel 75th minute

-Yellow Card Rice 78th Minute

-GOAL! Saka 92nd Minute. 2-0 Arsenal. GAME.

Lewis-Skelly and Odegaard looked strong. I’ll take better from the rest of the midfield. Moving on to the next one. Winning is winning. Let’s get West Ham on Saturday.

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.