The mission was almost impossible, Arsenal was true: thanks to a hat-trick from striker shaped Olivier Giroud, the Gunners have managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, by winning on Wednesday Lawn Olympiakos (3-0).
Obliged to win by two clear goals, or if they only marked at least three times during a final round of Group F in the final paces, Londoners finally managed to reverse a situation that seemed insurmountable.
Better, the incredible record of 16 consecutive qualifications in the 2nd round of the flagship event on the European scene, holding both "heart" in Arsene Wenger, has been reached.
Defeated 3-2 at home in the first leg against the Greeks, Wenger's men have finally taken their revenge in Piraeus to finish in 2nd place in Group F (9 pts), while Olympiakos is donated in the Europa League. And they can thank their striker Olivier Giroud, author of a "hat trick" decisive.
"It's fantastic for me and the team. We are really happy. It's great to qualify because we were not in a good position and finally we managed to do it. It was not so easy in this stage with this atmosphere, we are very glad we did, "said Giroud, after the meeting.
Traumatised by Leonardo Jardim last season, who defeated Arsenal in the second round of C1 with Monaco, Arsenal has managed this time to avoid the trap of tactical Portuguese coach Marco Silva by not throwing himself immediately in risky offensive.
Without their best ammunition, with Coquelin absences, Cazorla, and especially his fire-o'Sanchez, the Gunners favorite and left the ball to the Greeks.
To dynamite the opposing bloc, Wenger has trusted Walcott and Campbell, who was loaned one to Olympiakos in 2013-2014, to support her man like Olivier Giroud. A more than successful bet.
- Giroud off the volcano of Piraeus -
Because after a very difficult first quarter, dominated by Greeks without complex image Masuaku is attacking the Blues who showed the way.
Originally raid Campbell, who served perfectly behind Flamini, author of a strike repelled by the crossbar (25th), Giroud opened the scoring less than five minutes later.
On a central Ramsey, the former Montpellier headed in a strike, to deceive, also guilty of was a mistake (29th).
After a big scare his staff writhing alone ankle, from the restart, Giroud sprang from nowhere to double down with an impressive work of the former Lorient Campbell (49th).
While Cech managed to keep a clean sheet in a decisive judgment before Fortounis (58th), Giroud was digging the score on penalty the hour (67th) to definitively validate the ticket Arsenal in eighth and score his fifth goal C1 this season.
And finally extinguish the volcano Karaiskaki, who has never seen his players able to ignite the match to qualify the club of Piraeus, largely dominating the championship in his C1 to return next season.
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