Giroud ‘among the best in Europe’ – Wenger

The last 16 lineup for the UEFA Champions League was completed on Wednesday evening following the final round of matches group matches across the continent.

Qualification to the last 16 completes a remarkable turnaround for the Gunners as they become just the eighth side to advance through their group having taken three points or fewer from their opening four matches.

Giroud then netted a penalty in the 69th minute to seal Arsenal’s place in the last 16 for the 16th season in a row, although finishing second in their group exposes them to the possibility of being drawn against Real Madrid or Barcelona in the next round.

“But Olivier deserves the credit and I think he gets it. I have not seen it anywhere or from anyone that he is not a top goalscorer and he is proving it on the pitch so is doing very well”. “We had a ideal performance on the mental front and the tactical side”.

“In my mind I was a little bit more nervous than usual because I felt it was a pivotal game”, he told Arsenal Player. We needed something special to switch it on and come back like we did.

“I’m proud of the consistency because it demands a lot of effort every day and that’s what it’s about, we have escaped and maybe it’s a lucky year for us in the Champions League”.

“That is the spirit we want in this team”. In the dressing room this team is very close and you could see that again today.

“This was one of the best performances we have given in Europe”.

Nacho Monreal’s cross hit Omar Elabdellaoui’s arm and Giroud dispatched the spot-kick to send Arsenal into Monday’s draw. We defended well and we played well.

Hat-trick hero Olivier Giroud expresses his relief after Arsenal’s win over Olympiakos took them into the last 16 of the UCL.

Hat-trick hero Giroud said: “It’s fantastic for me and the team”. Walcott says the extra confidence can boost Arsenal’s title charge as they face a busy Christmas fixture list with a new found belief.

The France global headed home in the first half before sealing their passage by striking twice more after the break as they exceeded the two-goal winning margin they needed to qualify. Fortunately he was able to continue and two minutes later he got a flawless ball from Joel Campbell in the penalty box. We will focus on the Champions League and we are going to focus on the Premier League.