Arsenal 2-0 Montpellier

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments85

Jack Wilshere scores for Arsenal against Montpellier

Arsenal reached the Champions League knockout stage for a 13th consecutive season as they outclassed Montpellier and Schalke beat Olympiakos.

The Gunners struggled for momentum in a disappointing first half that saw Laurent Koscielny head against the bar.

But they improved after the break and Jack Wilshere scored his first goal since returning from injury with a chipped finish from close range.

Lukas Podolski sealed the win with a stunning volley as Montpellier faded.

It was an unstoppable strike that will be replayed many times over - a fitting way to secure a place in the last 16.

Schalke's home victory over Olympiakos keeps the Germans top of Group B on 11 points, one clear of Arsenal with one game left.

Olympiakos, who host Arsenal on 4 December, are third on six points and will drop into the Europa League, while Montpellier remain bottom with just one point from five matches.

This was not a vintage win and Arsenal looked disjointed until breaking the deadlock, but they can be pleased with the result and will now attempt to finish above Schalke in top spot.

For a club competing in the Champions League for a 15th consecutive season, it was remarkable that Arsene Wenger's men had never previously beaten a French club at home in the competition.

Saturday's morale-boosting victory over Tottenham, coupled with Montpellier's domestic and European struggles this season, gave the Gunners hope of bucking that trend.

But in the early stages Arsenal struggled to impose themselves or establish rhythm, misplacing a number of passes.

They looked nervous at the back and after Thomas Vermaelen was easily beaten by Remy Cabella on the right, Wojciech Szczesny flapped at Geoffrey Jourdren's cross from the left.

Arsenal almost took the lead when Koscielny rattled the woodwork with a thumping header from Vermaelen's left-wing centre, but that was their only chance of note in the opening half hour.

The match soon opened up, though, and Szczesny rushed out to foil Anthony Mounier before Podolski twice drilled wide.

Wenger's side came out for the second half with more urgency and their reward soon arrived.

Vermaelen crossed from the left for Giroud to cushion a header into the path of Wilshere, and the 20-year-old dinked a neat finish over Jourdren for his first goal since November 2010.

The home nerves were settled and with Montpellier's supporters showing more energy than their team, Arsenal struck again.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain worked his way in from the right and fed Podolski on the edge of the box. The German found Giroud and then met his lofted return pass with a stunning volley past Jourdren.

Santi Cazorla and Giroud both went close to extending the lead, with Montpellier occasionally threatening on the counter-attack, but by now the outcome was not in doubt and Arsenal could celebrate.

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85 comments

  • Comment posted by Y0U, at 22:30 21 Nov 2012

    Wenger carries on achieving despite his squad being chopped up and changed over the years. Far cry refreshing to see than the money flashing Chelsea and City.

  • Comment posted by Jeff, at 22:19 21 Nov 2012

    It is not Wenger's fault that footballers now are greedy for money, and once he has built them up, they then leave for the big buck.

    I think this is a great achievement for Wenger's new young Guns.

  • Comment posted by U13951569, at 22:24 21 Nov 2012

    As a Chelsea fan I'm also pleased to see Arsenal go through, well done, 13 years on the bounce now [group stages] I think? 15th consecutive year of qualifying? Regardless, best of luck for the latter stages.

    Richard

  • Comment posted by FranzWilhelm, at 22:51 21 Nov 2012

    Good to see all Bundesliga teams are through. The way they played speaks for the quality as well . . . .

  • Comment posted by U14966550, at 22:36 21 Nov 2012

    It pleases me that Arsenal and United are both through, the two clubs that show patience and perspective above short-termism. City were a bit unlucky to get such a tough group and will probably win the league again this season anyway, but after today's developments I hope (with no disrespect towards their supporters) that Chelsea get obliterated and sent to obscurity this year.

  • Comment posted by football entertainment, at 23:05 21 Nov 2012

    Arsenal may not have played great today but they got the job done and scored two fabulous goals. Better than playing well and losing. Yet someone in this post suggested Arsene Wenger be sacked, probably a Chelsea supporter or a dafty who believes the best and sustainable way to run a club is pump in billions +/- sack managers willy nilly. Dumb!

  • Comment posted by U15453310, at 23:33 21 Nov 2012

    @28 Arsenal haven't become stale. This is the price Arsenal are paying for sticking to their principles in a league who's winners are backed by billions.

    When Arsenal can attract players that don't want £200k/week (or we can genuinely pay such salaries without going down the pan) then I'll agree that we've gone stale. Till then I'll happily take 3rd place like last season.

  • Comment posted by U14966550, at 22:52 21 Nov 2012

    Also, coming second in the group isn't such a bad thing. I'd fancy our chances against Malaga, for example, who are guaranteed to top their group. I'd certainly rather draw them than second-placed Real Madrid. It's out of the team's hands now but what matters is they have a chance. If Schalke top the group then they deserve it, they had a good run two years ago and could well have another one.

  • Comment posted by U14958756, at 22:20 21 Nov 2012

    As a Man U fan I am pleased to see Arsenal through, Wenger plays the game in the right way, the club is run well and something like 15 seasons through the CL group stages is phenomenal.
    Stop moaning, it could be worse, you could support Liverpool!

  • Comment posted by FranzWilhelm, at 14:56 22 Nov 2012

    I have the feeling that Podolski will become one of the best signing for Arsenal ever. It is a joy to watch him playing and passing the ball. About Wenger? No one really will doubt that he is one of the best football trainers worldwide . . . . . Go Arsenal . . .

  • Comment posted by plath, at 13:44 22 Nov 2012

    must be tough to be a wenger-hater. secretly praying arse lose just so they can have a whinge. enviously wishing we were like abramovich and abu dhabi fc. fickle glory hunters

  • Comment posted by U15112941, at 12:07 22 Nov 2012

    Roman take note, consistency breed consistency. Well done to Arsenal Management Team and Players.

  • Comment posted by Dantis, at 11:20 22 Nov 2012

    Just before the Spurs' game there were many negative comments about AFC and AW on here, mainly from CFC and MCFC fans.... you have soon shut up haven't you? All of a sudden there is admiration from supporters everywhere, 13 consecutive seasons past the group stage, some achievement. I am going to make a prediction.. in 5 years time many clubs (MCFC/CFC) etc will wished they had followed our model

  • Comment posted by Owain ap Gruffudd, at 10:55 22 Nov 2012

    I have no idea why at times Arsenal fans or the media get on Wengers back? Thirteen consecutive qualifications through to the knockout stage! Are the billionaire clubs like laughable Chelsea, and man city there? Well done Arsenal, a well run club in good health financially. Don't get on his back cos u have not won trophies in a while.

  • Comment posted by U15054925, at 09:57 22 Nov 2012

    Fair play Wenger, Chelsea & Man City aka the big spenders out before the last 16, you're safely through with a game to spare. Arsenal fans - don't grumble to much, you'd miss Mr Wenger if he left, City and Chelsea fans would love him at the bridge or the etihad.

  • Comment posted by U15417362, at 09:23 22 Nov 2012

    'Topside Highbury' I am right with you after 40 years as a Gunner and i love my club. Arsenal has, does and hopefully always will stand for something.
    People who dont get that should get themselves another club and stop trying to steal mine!

  • Comment posted by davethetree, at 09:04 22 Nov 2012

    Could we actually be seeing the start of something good here? Last 8 in the League Cup? (whisper it softly, but our name may be on the cup). New signings gelling, and scoring? Yes, we may be reminiscent of the Keegan Newcastle crazy score gang, but what a ride eh? AND we do it by supporting our manager and having stability at the core of our club.

  • Comment posted by Topside Highbury, at 01:12 22 Nov 2012

    @Chubbypandas...pick another team then...I loved Arsenal since I was 5 difference is I still do and I'm 45. If your upset about the lack of trophies then you don't know what supporting a team is all about.

  • Comment posted by U14403462, at 23:37 21 Nov 2012

    I'd love to see Arsenal get to the semi's this year, if they still had Van Persie I'd have said they would have been real title contenders domestically as well; a really refreshing team.

    Wenger is massively underrated for me for what he's done with the money he's spent.

  • Comment posted by U15414118, at 22:29 21 Nov 2012

    Come on you gunners lets go and win the Damn trophy

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