Red Star 0 Arsenal 1: Olivier Giroud scores brilliant late winner in Belgrade to ensure Gunners leave with all three points
Arsene Wenger will have been delighted with striker's late impact as he rose to score an incredible bicycle kick
ARSENAL took another huge step towards the Europa League knock-out stage with a battling display in hostile Belgrade and an incredible late winner from Olivier Giroud.
The Gunners remain unbeaten and top of Group H after answering questions about their character with some heroic last-ditch defending - while Giroud made sure of the three points with a stunning bicycle kick five minutes from time.
Theo Walcott had an early chance to fire Arsenal into the lead when Red Star failed to clear Jack Wilshere’s 15th minute free-kick.
But his low shot lacked conviction and was blocked by the outstretched leg of keeper Milan Borjan.
It was an escape which seemed to spur the Serbian League leaders into action, with Nenan Krsticic firing a low effort just wide of Petr Cech’s far post.
Another promising Belgrade counter-attack came to nothing midway through the first-half when Slavoljub Srnic failed to hit the target with a scuffed low shot.
And Red Star should have seized the lead in the 26th minute when striker Richmond Boakye was allowed an unchallenged header in the Arsenal box but could only send his downward effort bouncing against the bar.
Cech was back in action to make a crucial save from Nemanja Radonjic, whose follow-up was well blocked by teenager Reiss Nelson.
FULL NELSON: Who is Reiss Nelson? Arsenal teenager on the cusp of Gunners first-team spot
Wenger’s makeshift team were pushing their luck but refused to buckle in the face of the ear-splitting noise generated by the sell-out 52,000 crowd at the Marakana Stadium.
Olivier Giroud had a rare attacking opportunity shortly before half-time, but his looping header from Mohamed Elneny’s deep cross dropped harmlessly over.
Arsenal transfer news
The big Frenchman had another chance straight at the break but was unable to get any power behind Walcott’s mis-hit shot.
Keeper Borjan was given more of a test by Nelson’s fierce angled shot which he did well to turn behind for a corner.
But Arsenal were soon on the back foot again, with Cech saving twice in a minute to deny Krsticic and Srnic.
And it was the big man Giroud who made sure Arsenal left Belgrade with all three points, finding the back of the net in the 84th minute with a super bicycle kick.
