Arsenal defies expectations to clobber Olympiacos, books Champions League knockout spot

Faced with a situation as familiar to the club as perpetual fourth-place Premier League finishes, Arsenal overcame massive odds to destroy Olympiacos 3-0 in Greece on Wednesday to book its place in the Champions League knockout stage for the 16th consecutive season.

Arsenal supporters insistent that the club buy a striker were muffled beyond recognition on the heels of Olivier Giroud's three-goal performance - his first in an Arsenal kit - as an injury-riddled side, with its backs firmly against the wall, did the near-impossible.

Giroud was brilliant, as was an in-form Joel Campbell and no-nonsense shot-stopper Petr Cech, with the visitors displaying an attack-minded approach from the opening whistle, while defending well at the back.

The victory sees the Gunners move on to the knockout stages by virtue of finishing second in Group F, a position as familiar as any for the north London outfit.

Arsene Wenger's intentions were clear the moment the team sheets were released: go for a comprehensive victory or experience defeat in doing so.

Vulnerable at the back by virtue of an attack-minded approach, Olympiacos appeared to be the more threatening side through the opening 20 minutes.

The home side's tactics at the offset were perplexing to say the least, as the Greeks attacked as if they were the side desperate for goals, not the one playing in its own backyard with a two-goal cushion.

Minutes after Mathieu Flamini put one off the bar in the opening stanza, Giroud opened the scoring with a lunging header courtesy of an Aaron Ramsey cross after an incisive through ball from Mesut Ozil put the Welshman in space.

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Giroud sent the traveling fans into hysterics moments after the interval, courtesy of a deft touch and piece of control by Campbell, who found the streaking Frenchman at an opportune time before the stately striker's shot eluded a lunging Roberto Gago.

Related - VIDEO: Olivier Giroud, Joel Campbell team up to double Arsenal's lead

The French international completed his hat trick from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, as Arsenal supporters in attendance sang Giroud to the cadence of "Hey Jude," with the handsome striker grinning in disbelief.

Doubted throughout his career and deemed insufficient to the ambitions of a title-winning side, Giroud hushed his critics Wednesday.

Once a fringe player toiling while on loan with four other clubs - one of which was Olympiacos - Campbell's coming-out party was coupled with Giroud's standout performance to cement a result that was as unexpected as it was prodigious.

Arsenal will now draw either Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Zenit St. Petersburg, or Wolfsburg in the next round of Europe's marquee continental competition.