Olivier Giroud scored a hat trick on Wednesday night which saw Arsenal qualify for the Champions League last 16. They only needed to win by 2 goals to advance, but Giroud’s clinical finishing saw the game finish 3-0.
Arsenal fans were over the moon with the result, as before kick off it appeared unlikely that the Gunners would qualify. Olympiacos had won seven of their last eight home games in the Champions League previous to this game – the only loss coming against flawless Bayern Munich.
It was a brilliant team performance from the Gunners but Giroud will rightly grab the headlines. He is often criticised but the Frenchman has well and truly delivered on the big stage tonight. In an environment where there are a global shortage of top level strikers – Arsenal fans should appreciate the brilliance Giroud can offer at times. Yes he lacks consistency and quality in some areas of his game, but the big man has performed incredibly tonight and Twitter appreciates that. Here’s how football fans are reacting.
And people wonder why we love Giroud so much… https://t.co/IHt2OQyNmr
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 9, 2015
Olivier Giroud is the highest scoring Frenchman in 2015 with 30 goals, 2 goals more than Antoine Griezmann. #afc pic.twitter.com/jtw1e5IZHS
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) December 9, 2015
Olivier Giroud’s game by number vs. Olympiakos: 100% shot accuracy 5 aerial duels won 4 shots 3 goals Match ball. pic.twitter.com/AZkBx0LTlm
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 9, 2015
If Arsenal were ridiculous v Olympiacos at home, they were sublime tonight. Just exceptional. Koscielny, Giroud, Ozil 9/10s
— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) December 9, 2015
Giroud at full time… pic.twitter.com/mA0eO9gzE5
— 1886 (@1886_blog) December 9, 2015
Will the Giroud haters please stand up
— EmmATheGooneR (@MtindiE) December 9, 2015
Giroud has been criticised a lot and has been the scapegoat, but he loves he fans and gives his everything. His commitment is unquestionable
— Sir Jenkinson (@theEpicGooner) December 9, 2015
Olivier Giroud is only the second Arsenal player to score a hat trick in an away CL game
— JG (@Artekkers) December 9, 2015
from sending off in 1st match, to hat trick in last. Giroud.
— Anita Roza (@arsenaloFka) December 9, 2015
Hattrick Giroud > FFS Giroud
— realm (@ArsenalRealm) December 9, 2015
Aguero is the only striker better than Giroud in the league but he’s always injured. Bargain of the decade
— Matt Saracen Fan (@SmolivierGiroud) December 9, 2015
Tweeted Giroud was a better ST than Rooney at the start of this season and got Arsenal fans sending through abuse…
— The Arsenal (@DareToWenger) December 9, 2015
It is true that Giroud had to make amends following his red card in Zagreb, he did just that tonight.