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Mission Possible for Arsenal

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Gunners stun Olympiakos in Greece

Arsenal advanced to the last-16 of the Champions League despite losing their first two-group games thanks to a 3-0 win in Greece this evening, with Olivier Giroud netting an impressive hat-trick.

The Gunners started the Champions League campaign shockingly, losing to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos, but after picking up two wins against Bayern Munich and Zagreb, they gave themselves a thin chance of qualifying.

They travelled to Greece knowing they had to win by two-clear goals, or match what Olympiakos did at the Emirates Stadium, which was a 3-2 result.

Match Summary

It was a very professional first-half display from Arsene Wenger‘s men and in the 29th minute they were rewarded when Olivier Giroud headered home from an Aaron Ramsey cross.

The Welshman was picked out by a stunning through-ball from Mesut Ozil, and he found Giroud in the box.

Arsenal went into the interval with the one-goal lead, knowing that they’d need another in the second.

They didn’t have to wait long in the second-half to celebrate the second however as Giroud was there again to slot home after brilliant work from Joel Campbell.

As the result stood, Arsenal were through to the last-16, but they made it official from the penalty-spot after a Nacho Monreal shot was blocked by an Olympiakos hand.

Giroud stepped up and converted to complete his hat-trick and complete a memorable night in Greece.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, Arsenal advance to the last-16 with Bayern Munich.

Match 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.”

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.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt

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