Arsenal slipped to their first defeat in this season's UEFA Champions League going down 1-0 to Olympiacos, while Standard Liege's 1-1 draw with AZ Alkmaar secured the Belgians' Europa League place.

Arsene Wenger wheeled out the youngsters for Arsenal's relatively inconsequential clash with Olympiacos at the Karaiskakis Stadium, with the Gunners already safely through as Group H winners prior to kick-off.

There was a debut for Tom Cruise at left-back, while Kerrea Gilbert and Kyle Bartley were both given their first taste of European action, meanwhile senior players Theo Walcottt and Alexandre Song returned from injury.

In fact, the Arsenal side was the youngest in the competition's history as the starting XI had an average age of just 21 years and 215 days, beating Ajax's six-year-old record of 21 years and 355 days.

The game itself wasn't much of a spectacle, although Wenger's inexperienced side held their own against the Greek champions in a hostile environment, and managed to get to the interval on level terms.

The contest immediately opened up after the break, Olympiacos taking the lead when Brazilian Leonardo broke from just inside the Arsenal half and ran at a hesitant Gunners' defence before coolly slotting past Lukasz Fabianski.

Shortly afterwards Arsenal had a chance to get back on level terms through Walcott, whose shot was deflected over the bar by Raul Bravo, the winger having been set up by the continually impressive Aaron Ramsey.

Mexican striker Carlos Vela had two further opportunities to level for the visitors, but the Greeks ultimately held on to secure their progression to the knock-out stage as the runners-up in Grou H.

Meanwhile, in the Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Belgium champions Standard Liege grabbed the point they needed to qualify for the Europa League ahead of Dutch hopefuls AZ Alkmaar after a dramatic late equaliser from Turkish goalkeeper Sinan Bolat!

Standard had an outside hope of reaching the last 16 going into the match, but would have needed an Arsenal victory over Olympiacos, as well as a win of their own over AZ, who have appointed Dick Advocaat as successor to Ronald Koeman.

As it was, AZ very nearly left the Belgian's bottom of the group and out of Europe altogether, with Jeremain Lens' volleyed effort just before half-time looking for a long time like being the game's only goal.

However, the home side snatched third spot deep, deep into injury time, when Bolat ventured forward to head home his side's late salvation, capping an impressive week for goal-scoring keepers in the competition, following Hans-Jörg Butt's penalty on Tuesday evening.

So Arsenal and Olympiacos are safely through to Friday's draw for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, while Standard will be in the hat for the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League.