Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: Olivier Giroud told me he would score - but not like that

OLIVIER GIROUD reassured Arsene Wenger that he would score in Belgrade but gave no clue as to the quality of the strike that would eventually sink Red Star.

21:11, Thu, Oct 19, 2017 | UPDATED: 21:20, Thu, Oct 19, 2017

Arsenal Olivier Giroud GETTY

Olivier Giroud scored an overhead kick as Arsenal beat Red Star Belgrade 1-0

The 1-0 win came thanks to his improvised 85th-minute overhead kick but only after the home side had been reduced to 10 men following the sending off of Milan Rodic.

Victory maintains Arsenal’s 100 per cent record in Group H. It means a win in the return on November 2 would guarantee qualification with two games to spare.

Wenger said: “At some stage Giroud came to the touchline and told me: ‘We will score’.

"He knew more than I did. That’s Olivier Giroud! He keeps belief when it is tough.

"That’s why he scores at moments you didn’t expect him to score.

Giroud came to the touchline and told me: ‘We will score’
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

“You win when you can and you don’t decide that.

"Overall, the spirit we showed was remarkable, fighting together in a game that was very physical.

"In the end, we got a win that gives credit to the mentality of the team.”

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Jack Wilshere was again one of the star performers but is expected to be on the sidelines again when Arsenal face Everton on Sunday.

“He will get a chance in the Premier League don’t worry for that,” said Wenger.

“At the moment it is going to be like that. He got a big kick in first half on his ankle but games of this intensity will help him a lot.”

Wenger's improvised starting XI saw a makeshift defence of Mathieu Debuchy, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny start, whilst youngsters Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock all started.