Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 6y

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere enjoying understanding with Olivier Giroud

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has hailed his understanding with striker Olivier Giroud after the pair conjured up a memorable goal at Red Star Belgrade on Thursday.

Giroud finished off a well-worked move with a sublime overhead kick after he, Wilshere and Theo Walcott had exchanged passes, earning a 1-0 win that maintains Arsenal's perfect Europa League record.

It had echoes of Wilshere's memorable goal against Norwich -- scored on the same day four years ago -- after he exchanged one-touch passes with Giroud.

Wilshere told reporters: "I think he knows how I like to play and I know how he likes to play.

"He knows that I like to pick it up and drive at the defence, and he always gives me an option when I pick the ball up.

"He seems to hold his position up well, he's strong when he holds the ball up, and we play off each other well."

It was only Wilshere's third start of the season, all in cup competitions, as Arsene Wenger eases him back from the broken ankle suffered while he was on loan at Bournemouth in May.

The Arsenal manager said after the game that it was only a matter of time before Wilshere was back in his league line-up, adding: "He will get a chance in the Premier League -- don't worry about that.

"He got a big kick on his ankle in the first half but managed to get through the 90 minutes. Games of that intensity will help him a lot."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, speaking after the game, said Giroud's goal was a result of "the brilliance of Jack Wilshere."

He added: "He punches a hole through the midfield which doesn't exist -- it's what mere mortals could only dream of.

"In terms of quality, he stood out like a sore thumb. Yes, the game wasn't as fluid as the game against BATE but he's got real quality."

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