Alexis Sanchez struck twice as Arsenal kept up their hopes of qualifying out of the group stages in the Champions League with a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
Man of the match Mesut Ozil capped a superb performance with a goal, meaning the third-placed Gunners face a make or break clash away at Olympiakos in their bid to progress from Group F.
Arsenal not only need to beat Olympiakos but also have to better the 3-2 scoreline by which they lost to the Greeks earlier on in the competition. It is certainly going to be a tough ask from the Gunners but, in truth, we are lucky to even still be in with a chance after winning only two of are opening five games. So I am delighted that we still have a chance, no matter how slim, of progressing so we are not out of it just yet.
The performance against Zagreb was much more like the way we should've been playing throughout the competition. Whilst it was a really impressive performance it was also hard not to feel a sense of frustration as to where on earth this performance had been in some of the other group games.
A fine passing move released Alexis Sanchez down the left and the Chilean's cross was met by the diving header of Ozil for Arsenal's opener after 29 minutes.
Arsenal made their dominance count by doubling their advantage just four minutes later. Nacho Monreal intercepted the ball before racing into the box and teeing up Sanchez to fire home from close range.
Zagreb goalkeeper Eduardo denied Ozil to keep the score down to 2-0 going in at the break.
Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure in the second half with Eduardo again being called into action to keep out Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud.
Another positive for us Arsenal fans was the introduction off the bench of Aaron Ramsey. With all the injuries we have, it is a big relief to see the Welsh midfielder back in action and hopefully he will get back to his best over the next few weeks.
Arsene Wenger's men put the result beyond doubt as Sanchez added his second and Arsenal's third 21 minutes from time. Joel Campbell set up Sanchez with a fine reverse pass and the Chilean kept his composure, going round Eduardo and calmly stroking the ball into the empty net.
Ozil and Sanchez especially were superb. If we had done this in the away game against Zagreb then our Champions League campaign would not be facing the same tension as it now does, but we have to accept the situation and make sure we put in one hell of a performance to stay in it.
GROUP F
In some ways the task of qualifying out of Group F look completely manageable, but in other ways they seem very nerve-racking. Of course, we are more than capable of beating Olympiakos, even comfortably, if we can hit top form in Greece. But we are also capable, as we have seen in the past, of imploding and not getting the job done, so it will depend which Arsenal side turns up on the day. It will certainly been tense and exciting that is for sure...we just need to make sure we win, and win by enough goals, to stay in the competition. I love the Champions League and really hope we can do a number on our Greek opponents in the final round of group matches.
Arsenal are three points behind Olympiakos ahead of the showdown in Athens. The Gunners' goal difference is better but, if we finish level on points it is the head-to-head record that will be decisive. With Olympiakos winnning 3-2 at the Emirates earlier on in the Group F campaign, Arsenal need to win by two goals (or by one if we score three) if we are to make it through to the last 16.
Although we know exactly what we've got to do to progress, so do Olympiakos. They know even a draw is enough and may set up tactically with that in mind. We need to attack but cannot go to gung-ho and risk leaving ourselves too open at the back. We need to get it tactically perfect in Greece but the main thing is that, going into the final group game, the dream is at least still alive.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Our chances of being in the last 16 of the Champions League really could go either way. It is so tough to call and I feel 50-50 about it. But, following the victory over Zagreb, we must now, temporarily, put the Champions League out of our minds and once again focus on the Premier League.
In our last league match we suffered a frustrating 2-1 loss at West Brom and, if we are serious about a Premier League title challenge this season we really can't afford too many more slip-ups.
We travel to Norwich in our next league game and, despite losing to West Brom and dropping to fourth, we are only two points behind surprise leaders Leicester.
It was disappointing that we couldn't take advantage of Manchester City's slip-up last weekend and we must ensure we don't do this again. Without being too disrespectful to Norwich, this is a game that would be absolutely inexcusable not to win. We need to prove we can challenge for the title and that we are not once again going to end up finishing third or fourth...so let's try and start to prove this against Norwich with a top performance and convincing win.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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