Arsenal advanced into the last 16 of this season’s UEFA Champions League with a stunning 3-0 win against Olympiacos in what was a hostile atmosphere.
Going into the clash, the Gunners needed to win by a margin of two goals, and they did that and more. Olivier Giroud was the star of the show as he bagged his first hat-trick for the club.
But what did we learn in Greece tonight? Let’s take a look at five things.
Giroud is a big game player
Often maligned, it’s fair to say Olivier Giroud isn’t everyone’s favourite striker. But you’ve got to hold your hands up and give him credit where credit’s due. The guy scores goals. Big ones.
A couple of years ago, Giroud was considered a ‘flat-track bully’ – failing to score in a lot of the bigger games. This is behind him now. He’s scored against Manchester United, Liverpool, City, Bayern Munich recently and bagged an impressive hat-trick tonight away from home in a must-win game. The pressure doesn’t come much bigger than that.
No, he’s not Thierry Henry. He’s not Ian Wright. He’s not Dennis Bergkamp. But he is an effective striker – and one we should be more thankful for.
Arsene Wenger doesn't like going out of the group stages
Arsenal pulled off what Arsene Wenger called ‘his biggest escape’ tonight. His Arsenal side have now advanced past the group stages 16 times in a row. Sure, getting into semi-finals and finals have hardly come around, but the consistency to get out of the groups must be admired.
Wenger was right to trust Campbell
He often looks disinterested and can leave a lot to be desired.
Tonight, he was one of Arsenal’s best performers. He looked full of energy, full of running, and his assist for Giroud’s second goal was stunning.
A lot of eyebrows were raised when Wenger picked Campbell over Oxlade-Chamberlain but he was right to do it.
Ain't nobody, like Koscielny!
Laurent Koscielny set the tone for Arsenal’s performance tonight. He was strong in the tackle, attacked the ball at every opportunity and gave his side the basis to build the win upon.
He really has developed into one of the world’s best defenders and it’s hard to see who you would swap with the French stalwart.
Zenit or Wolfsburg, please!
The teams Arsenal can face in the last 16:
Barca, Real, Atletico, Wolfsburg and Zenit.
So tonight we learned who Arsenal can face in the next round. A few weeks ago, they would have taken anyone but now they’ve made it, you have to hope they can avoid one of the Spanish teams. While a trip to Russia doesn’t sound appealing, they do have a very long winter break coming, so perhaps Zenit would be the best option.