Thursday 10 December 2015 12:12, UK
Arsene Wenger hailed a 'perfect' performance from Arsenal after they secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-0 victory at Olympiakos.
Olivier Giroud scored all three goals as the Gunners pipped the Greeks to second spot in Group F.
It was an assured display from the Premier League side, whose chances of qualifying for the last 16 seemed slim after just one win from their first four matches.
They also had seven key first-team players missing through injury, but Giroud produced the goods when it mattered as Arsenal made light work of a seemingly difficult task.
"I told you before the game it would be a great escape, and I must say I'm very proud of the team," said Wenger. "We had a perfect performance on the mental front and the tactical side. I put my focus on staying in the competition.
"This kind of performance, in a very heated atmosphere, showed we have character. These kinds of performances make the team stronger. I think it's a fantastic achievement for us.
"Nine times out of 10 in that position, you are out of the group. We needed something special to switch it on and come back like we did tonight. Maybe it is a lucky year for us in the Champions League. You never know."
After a somewhat cagey start, Arsenal controlled much of the rest of the game at their pace, picking off Olympiakos at the right times.
Giroud opened the scoring in the 25th minute and then scored twice more after the break to leave Wenger purring at his display.
"It was a perfect performance," he said. "He scored a header, one with a good combination thanks to a good pass by Campbell, and also a penalty on top of that.
"He was sometimes in uncomfortable positions but he fought like mad and he has shown skill and character.
"I always defended Olivier on the character side because he has always had something special on that front. He showed that in the game again today."
Arsenal can now face Andre Villas-Boas' Zenit St Petersburg, Manchester United's conquerors Wolfsburg or the Spanish trio of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the next round.
