Wenger revels in Champions League ‘greatest escape’

“It’s a fantastic achievement for us because we have lost players”. If Arsenal has a chance to play the Champions League at the end of winter in February 2016, they must win in Greece by a two goal margin in front of a boiling sell out crowd.

“It’s maybe one of my best matches with Arsenal because I scored a hat trick, but what matters is that I finished the work of the team.” he told beIN Sport.

“We had a flawless performance on the tactical and mental side”.

The manager stressed that the results had made them stronger and strengthened their belief, adding that they were looking forward to the upcoming matches.

“When you can deliver something special, you can create something special for the rest of the season”.

Moreover, the win preserved Arsenal’s superb record in the Champions League, having now qualified for the competition’s second stage for the 16th time in succession, and that will be a tradition they are keen to continue.

With a two goal victory over Olympiacos, or a one-goal victory of 3-2 or higher, Arsenal would successfully advance out of the Champions League Group Stage. We knew we had to push for the third goal because it’s very unsafe at 2-0, and we had the flawless game.

“It was a good performance against Olympiakos and we showed great team spirit”.

And Walcott insists they can beat any team put before them after a performance that serves as a warning to their rivals.

“I am pleased as it was a good test for us”.

‘Olivier Giroud was magnificent in Greece but I still don’t get the feeling he is completely loved by everybody at the club.

“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”.

Midway through the second period, Omar Elabdellaoui was perhaps harshly penalised for handling Nacho Monreal’s shot, and Giroud coolly converted the spot-kick for his first Arsenal hat-trick in his three and half years at the club.

“We wanted to win this game and the Champions League is where we want to be. He can score goals as well so he has a bit of everything”.

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.