Arsenal and Chelsea advance to round of 16

On Wednesday night, Campbell was back at Olympiakos, playing a vital role in Arsenal’s tremendous 3-0 win which took them through the group stage of the Champions League for the 16th season in succession.

Theo Walcott, who made an appearance off the bench in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at home to Sunderland in the Premier League, made his first start since injuring his calf at the end of October, coming in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Only seven sides in Champions League history had managed to progress from the group with three points or less after four games – but Arsenal have now added their name to an exclusive list and Wenger reckons it can have a lasting effect on his players.

Los Che needed a win to stand any chance of qualifying from Group H, but goals from Maxwel Cornet and Alexandre Lacazette goals sent the La Liga side crashing out.

At 2-0 down Olympiacos knew one goal would see them advance at Arsenal’s expense, andKostas Fortounis stung the palms of Petr Cechbefore Per Mertesacker’s superb block denied Ideye.

“Nine times out of 10 you are out (after such a poor start)”.

“We needed great character tonight and these kinds of performances will only make the team stronger”.

Every time Arsenal produce a special performance, there is a temptation to think of it as a turning point, the moment when the penny has finally dropped in a squad constantly questioned more for their mental qualities than technical ability.

“Now we have escaped, maybe it’s a lucky year for us in the Champions League”.

Ozil played a key role in the Gunner’s first goal by providing the pass which unlocked the Greek champions defence allowing Ramsey to provide the assist for Giroud.

Giroud saw the Gunners through with a clinical hat-trick comprising of a header, a low shot and a penalty.

Yet it was the way in which they got the result they needed despite a spate of recent injuries that had Wenger purring.

“It was a flawless performance”, he said. I’ve always defended his character and he has shown it again today.

They will now look ahead to the draw for the last 16 next Monday, when they could be drawn against Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Wolfsburg or Zenit St Petersburg.

Chelsea not only avoided the embarrassment of dropping into the Europa League, but Jose Mourinho’s team advanced as the group victor.

Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring one of his three goals.

“Our fans should be proud though… the team gave all they had and it’s significant that we were in with a chance of qualifying for the second stage in the last round of group matches”.