Olympiakos 0 - 3 Arsenal

Olivier Giroud scored his first ever hat-trick for Arsenal to ensure the Gunners qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League by beating Olympiakos. 

Needing to win by two clear goals, the Gunners produced a performance of nerve and nous to finish second in Group F.

Giroud headed the opener in the first half, then stroked home the second after good work by Joel Campbell.

The French striker put Arsenal's qualification beyond doubt with his third from the penalty spot.

 

 

Arsenal's proud record remains intact

Arsenal have never failed to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League since the start of the new format in 2003-04, and their experience on the biggest stage shone through on a memorable night in Athens.

They weathered the early enthusiasm from the physical home side, who were backed by typically partisan support, and slowly seized the initiative with a composed performance.

Mathieu Flamini had already hit the bar before Giroud opened the scoring with a near-post header which went in off the goalkeeper, Roberto.

The second was the best goal of the night as Giroud won a flick-on on the halfway line and timed his run into the box to perfection before stroking home.

The third was slightly more fortuitous as Omar Elabdellaoui was penalised for handling Nacho Monreal's shot and Giroud stepped up to convert with ease.

 

Man of the match

Joel Campbell (right) was applauded by both sets of fans when he was substituted on his return to Olympiakos 

It's got to be Olivier Giroud for the way he applied the finishing touches to an accomplished team performance.

However, special mention must go to Joel Campbell who held off three defenders before taking out another two with a cute pass for Giroud's second goal.

Time and again, Campbell showed strength to hold off his marker and vision to slide in Giroud to offer hope to Arsenal fans that they have the makings of a fine strike partnership.

Gunners fans will also be cheered to see Theo Walcott starting the game, and while the England forward clearly lacked match fitness he made some clever runs and looked dangerous both out wide and when he drifted inside.

Arsenal's hat-trick hero Olivier Giroud reacts on BT Sport: "It's fantastic for me and for the team. We are really pleased. It's nice to go through because we were not in a good position and finally we have done it. We feel relieved tonight.

"In the Champions League it's one level up and we need to be all focused. As a unit, together, good cohesion, defending well and finishing well. It's nice for us. It was not so easy in this stadium with this atmosphere and we are really pleased to have done it.

"We want to go as far as we can. The target is to maybe reach at least the quarter final. It's the fourth year I'm here and we have never played a quarter final. We will have a good rest and open the new page of the Champions League in February."

Manager Reaction

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "I told you before that it would be the greatest escape. I must say I'm very proud of the team as we had to be right on the mental and tactical side. At 2-0 we had to push for a third goal, it was too dangerous to stay at 2-0."

On coming back in the group: "Nine times out of 10 you are out. We needed something special to come back like we did and tonight we needed a complete team performance. This team really is a team and they showed it again.

"You don't need to single Giroud out tonight because he scored the goals. But he showed character again with the penalty."