Olivier Giroud hat-trick on cue to make it sweet 16 for Arsene Wenger

Olympiacos 0 Arsenal 3: This was so sweet for Arsene Wenger. Sweet 16 for the Arsenal manager thanks to Olivier Giroud, who selected the perfect occasion to score his first hat-trick for the club.

Wenger had guided the Gunners through the group games of the Champions League for 15 seasons in succession and that remarkable record was threatened last night as they needed to win by two clear goals to avoid an early exit.

It promised to be a tense and nervous occasion, but Arsenal reached the last 16 yet again with something to spare as Giroud destroyed Olympiakos, with valuable assistance from Joel Campbell, who played for the Greek side last season.