Greek tragedy for Arsenal as Gunners crash again

ATHENS (AFP) - Arsenal's dispiriting season took a turn for the worse on Tuesday as the Gunners crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Olympiakos that ended their hopes of finishing top of Champions League Group B.

Arsene Wenger's side desperately needed a victory in Athens to ease the sense of crisis enveloping the north London club after their worst start to a Premier League campaign in the Frenchman's 16-year reign.

But instead the Gunners squandered the lead secured by Tomas Rosicky as second half goals from Giannis Maniatis and then Kostas Mitroglou meant Arsenal had to settle for second place in the group behind Schalke.

Although Arsenal had already qualified for the last 16, this was a missed opportunity for Wenger's men as Schalke's draw at Montpellier meant a victory would have given the Gunners top spot and potentially an easier draw in the knockout stages.