Olivier Giroud’s hat-trick secured Arsenal’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the 16th straight season as they beat Olympiakos 3-0.
Needing to win by at least two clear goals in Athens on Wednesday night, the Gunners produced the perfect away performance to pip the Greeks to second spot in Group F.
Giroud broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when he headed home from Aaron Ramsey’s cross.
The Frenchman made it 2-0 shortly after half-time from Joel Campbell’s pass and then scored a third from the penalty spot after 69 minutes to ensure Arsenal join Chelsea and Manchester City in the next round.
Qualification to the last 16 completes a remarkable turnaround for the Gunners as they become just the eighth side to advance through their group having taken three points or fewer from their opening four matches.
That they did so without so many injured players, including Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez, makes the feat even more impressive.
Meanwhile, Chelsea atoned for their recent poor form by booking their place in the Champions League knockout phase with a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Porto at Stamford Bridge.
Ivan Marcano’s 12th-minute own-goal set the Blues on their way before Willian’s second-half strike capped off a fine performance by Jose Mourinho’s beleaguered side.
The Group G result, coupled with Dynamo Kiev’s victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv, means Chelsea join Manchester City and Arsenal in Monday’s last-16 draw at the expense of 2004 champions Porto, who drop into the Europa League.
