Arsenal and Montpellier clashed in a crucial group B champions league encounter where Arsenal needed a win to confirm their place in the last 16. The North London club not only managed to secure all three points but they did it in style keeping a clean sheet and scoring two beautiful goals.
With one game remaining in the group stages, Arsenal and Schalke book their tickets in the last 16 of the competition, it is just the matter of who finishes in the top of group B
Ahead of the match Arsenal manager was adamant that his side will not lose concentration and his side did that exactly. With just one change from their previous game from the weekend, Arsenal had a decent first half after some initial scare and misplaced passing. The second half completely belonged to the Gunners as the opened the scoring early in the half.
Jack Wilshere broke the deadlock after 49 minutes with a close-range finish after some good link up play between Podolski and Vermaelen who lifted in a cross which has headed down on to the path of Wilshere by Olivier Giroud who delicately passed the ball into the back of the net. It was Wilshere’s first goal for two years. And the second goal from the German International Podolski set the mood for the rest of the match. After a good one two with Giroud, Podolski struck a thunderbolt volley past goalkeeper Jourdren to make it 2-0 to the Gunners. The strike was as good as Robin Van Persie’s volley against Everton last year.
One stat Arsenal fans will be happy about is that, Podolski and Giroud combined, has the same amount goals as Robin Van Persie had during this time last year. Arsenal moved to 10 points, one behind Group B leaders Schalke whose 1-0 defeat of Olympiakos ensured that the London club will qualify for the knockout rounds for the 10th consecutive season under manager Arsene Wenger.