Five Things Learnt from Arsenal’s triumph
Arsenal stunned Olympiakos 3-0 in Greece
Arsenal booked their spot in the last-16 of the Champions League last night thanks to an emphatic 3-0 win in Athens against Olympiakos.
The Gunners went into the game knowing they needed to win by two-clear goals, and an Olivier Giroud hat-trick guaranteed their spot in the knockout round.
So what did we take from the victory?
Here are our Five Things learnt from last night’s game in Greece.
5) Champions League Is Unpredictable
Who would have had Arsenal losing to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos before beating Bayern Munich?
The Gunners started the campaign off terribly, losing away in Croatia and then losing at the Emirates Stadium against Olympiakos.
However, a 2-0 win over Munich at home gave them hope and a win against Zagreb at the Emirates took it to the final game.
It was all still very much against Arsenal, but Olivier Giroud made sure they progressed in superb style with an impressive hat-trick.
What a crazy group.
4) Joel Campbell Shines
The Costa Rican enjoyed his best game in an Arsenal shirt last night.
It might be because he’s used to the atmosphere in Greece following his loan-spell at Olympiakos before the 2014 World Cup, but he was stunning for Arsenal last night.
He ran himself to the bone and even got himself an assist for Giroud’s second-goal after brilliant hold-up play.
With the injuries mounting at Arsenal, Campbell will certainly get game-time and he is slowly starting to prove his worth to the club.
3) Premier League Reputation Saved
Going into the night it looked VERY likely that Arsenal and maybe even Chelsea could have dropped down to the Europa League, joining Manchester United.
However, both London clubs got the wins they needed and they booked their spot, along with Manchester City, in the hat for the last-16.
The Europa League could have had five Premier League teams in it, with the three dropping down from Champions League joining Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, but it wasn’t to save.
Premier League’s reputation was certainly saved.
2) Could Arsenal Win It?!
Now a lot of people may just ignore this point, but why couldn’t they?!
Chelsea were far from the best team when they won it in 2012, and like mentioned earlier, the Champions League is very unpredictable.
Yes Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona will be the favourites, and yes Arsenal will have a tricky last-16 tie, but stranger things have happened.
No-one really gave the Gunners a chance last night, and they did it.
Also they will be getting a few injured stars back in time for the last-16, including a certain Alexis Sanchez.
1) Olivier Giroud’s Night
What a memorable night for Olivier Giroud.
Ironically he started the Champions League campaign getting sent off in Croatia, but he’s ended it with a hat-trick and with the knowledge he booked Arsenal a place in the last-16.
Somehow some Arsenal fans still don’t think they can win the league with him in their team, but last night, there was not one complaining about the Frenchman.
One header, one calmly slotted finish and one from the spot.
Stunning display from Giroud and one that will live long in the memory of Arsenal fans.
So there are our Five Things learnt from Arsenal’s memorable night in Greece.
What did you take from the game?
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt