Thursday 10 December 2015 11:47, UK
Olivier Giroud's hat-trick gave Arsenal a 3-0 win away to Olympiakos and kept up their long run of reaching the Champions League knockout stages.
The Gunners knew they needed a 2-0 win on Wednesday night to qualify as Group F runners-up but Giroud went one better, heading home in the first half before doubling the lead after the break and adding a third from the spot.
Here, we pick out five talking points from Arsenal's amazing win...
Giroud's joy
Giroud has long been likened to Alan Smith, but here he played the role of Arsenal's first scorer in their 1989 title-winning game at Anfield, as well as the Michael Thomas role too. There wasn't the drama of a stoppage-time strike this time around, but the French forward more than made up for it in volume - adding a third too. What a time to produce the first hat-trick of his Arsenal career.
There was plenty to admire too. After heading in the first, he slotted in a second just moments after seemingly being set to trudge off with an ankle injury. If that showed physical courage, he also had the confidence to step up for a penalty as well.
Giroud has been much-maligned during his time at the Emirates, with many content to focus on the flaws rather than credit what he can do. But three years after he was seen as an apology of a replacement for Robin van Persie, there's no doubt who looks the better option these days. His last 10 goals have come at a rate of better than one every 90 minutes.
Ozil produces
Giroud wasn't the only one to step up when needed. Mesut Ozil's critics prefer to overlook the numbers in his favour - he's created more chances than any player in this season's Premier League - and have instead urged him to make a difference in the big games. When the moment came, the World Cup winner gave his latest answer.
Ozil was absolutely fabulous. A big performance was required and he turned up. He was sensational.
After shrugging off a challenge, Ozil threaded a wonderful pass in behind the Olympiakos back-line to send Aaron Ramsey away down the left flank. Ramsey's cross found Giroud and Arsenal had their breakthrough goal. For the second, Ozil provided the lofted ball to Joel Campbell in the build-up. Throughout, he was the playmaker that Arsenal needed him to be on the night.
Wenger changes it
Campbell's fizzed pass through to Giroud for Arsenal's decisive second goal was the game's key moment and Wenger deserves credit for helping to facilitate it. Arsenal had begun the night with Theo Walcott on the right and the Costa Rican winger on the left, but he switched them soon after and it made a huge difference.
Not only did Walcott enjoy himself cutting in from the left but Campbell appeared more comfortable on the right flank in a stadium where he spent a season on loan with Olympiakos. It was a stunning moment of quality as his fancy footwork evaded the markers before picking out Giroud to score. Campbell - and Wenger - got it right.
The run continues
Of course, in terms of negotiating Champions League groups, Wenger's been getting it right longer than any coach in Europe. This is the 16th season in succession that Arsenal have got through the opening group stage - a record that only 10-time champions Real Madrid can match. Ask Louis van Gaal how easy that is.
It didn't seem particularly likely after losing at Dinamo Zagreb and being beaten at home by Olympiakos but the situation was salvaged. After 10 years of finishing either third or fourth in the Premier League, Arsenal supporters are understandably underwhelmed by tales of consistency. And yet, this is one record worth being proud of.
Confidence boost?
There are also practical benefits for Arsenal in avoiding the Thursday night routine that would come with being in the Europa League. The continent's second-tier competition would surely have meant far more games to endure after Christmas for Arsenal's injury-hit squad. But it's the intangible boost that comes from turning their Champions League season around that could be even more significant.
Can Arsenal carry this into their Premier League campaign? Things went Wenger's way last weekend and the team are entitled to be optimistic about their title chances, with only unfancied Leicester currently ahead of them in the table and bottom-club Aston Villa next up. This was a result to galvanise a group. Now they need to build on it.
Aston Villa v Arsenal is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm on Sunday
