Played
November 21, 2012 2:45 PM EST
Emirates Stadium — London
Referee: F. Aydinus
Attendance: 59760
November 21, 2012 2:45 PM EST
Emirates Stadium — London
Referee: F. Aydinus
Attendance: 59760
Top of the Match
Olivier Giroud
Arsenal
Arsenal
Olivier Giroud
Arsenal
Arsenal
Flop of the Match
Anthony Mounier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier HSC
Gaetan Charbonnier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier HSC
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Arsenal 2-0 Montpellier: Wilshere & Podolski strikes send Gunners through
Arsene Wenger's side cruised into the knockout stages with comfortable victory as Schalke beat Olympiakos in the other Group B fixture
By Greg Stobart
Jack Wilshere scored his first goal in almost two years as Arsenal booked its place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with victory over Montpellier.
Twenty-four months of injury-ravaged frustration were etched on Wilshere’s face as he celebrated poking Arsenal ahead in the 49th minute before Lukas Podolski sealed the win with a stunning volley on 66 minutes.
Schalke’s win over Olympiakos on Wednesday night means that Arsenal is guaranteed a place in the second round ahead of its final Group B fixture in Athens on December 5.
It was a low key but efficient display from the Gunners as they recorded their first home win against French opposition in 15 seasons in the Champions League against a hard-working yet toothless Montpellier side.
There were, however, some furrowed brows on the Arsenal bench during a turgid first half in which the hosts lacked intensity off the ball and failed to find any rhythm in their passing in possession.
In the 10th minute, Arsene Wenger’s side nearly opened the scoring but Laurent Koscielny’s header rattled against the crossbar after he met Wilshere’s fine cross from the left.
The only other half-chances of note in the first period fell to Podolski, who scuffed wide after robbing a Montpellier defending of possession and then could not wrap his foot around the ball after latching on to Santi Cazorla’s pass.
Arsenal responded to Wenger’s halftime team talk after the break as it came out with far more verve and creativity, with Cazorla and Wilshere in particular looking to open up the visitors’ defense.
In the 49th minute, the Gunners broke the deadlock as Wilshere scored for the first time since his strike in the 4-2 victory over Aston Villa on November 27, 2010.
Thomas Vermaelen floated in a dangerous right-footed cross that former Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud headed down perfectly for Wilshere’s run. The midfielder made the finish look simple as he flicked the ball over Montpellier goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourden.
Jourden would have been forgiven for diving out of the way of the strike that all but sealed the result in the 67th minute. Podolski worked a clever one-two with Giroud and struck a scorching volley from 12 yards that seemed to be increasing in speed as it slammed into the back of the net.
Giroud almost made it three against the club for which he scored 25 goals last season, but the Frenchman’s low right-footed strike was saved by Jourdren as the angles narrowed.
The 12 million pound man was applauded by all corners of the ground as he was substituted six minutes from time. Job done for Arsenal but tougher challenges will await as it progresses to the knockout rounds for the 14th consecutive season.
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Twenty-four months of injury-ravaged frustration were etched on Wilshere’s face as he celebrated poking Arsenal ahead in the 49th minute before Lukas Podolski sealed the win with a stunning volley on 66 minutes.
Schalke’s win over Olympiakos on Wednesday night means that Arsenal is guaranteed a place in the second round ahead of its final Group B fixture in Athens on December 5.
It was a low key but efficient display from the Gunners as they recorded their first home win against French opposition in 15 seasons in the Champions League against a hard-working yet toothless Montpellier side.
There were, however, some furrowed brows on the Arsenal bench during a turgid first half in which the hosts lacked intensity off the ball and failed to find any rhythm in their passing in possession.
In the 10th minute, Arsene Wenger’s side nearly opened the scoring but Laurent Koscielny’s header rattled against the crossbar after he met Wilshere’s fine cross from the left.
The only other half-chances of note in the first period fell to Podolski, who scuffed wide after robbing a Montpellier defending of possession and then could not wrap his foot around the ball after latching on to Santi Cazorla’s pass.
Arsenal responded to Wenger’s halftime team talk after the break as it came out with far more verve and creativity, with Cazorla and Wilshere in particular looking to open up the visitors’ defense.
In the 49th minute, the Gunners broke the deadlock as Wilshere scored for the first time since his strike in the 4-2 victory over Aston Villa on November 27, 2010.
Thomas Vermaelen floated in a dangerous right-footed cross that former Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud headed down perfectly for Wilshere’s run. The midfielder made the finish look simple as he flicked the ball over Montpellier goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourden.
Jourden would have been forgiven for diving out of the way of the strike that all but sealed the result in the 67th minute. Podolski worked a clever one-two with Giroud and struck a scorching volley from 12 yards that seemed to be increasing in speed as it slammed into the back of the net.
Giroud almost made it three against the club for which he scored 25 goals last season, but the Frenchman’s low right-footed strike was saved by Jourdren as the angles narrowed.
The 12 million pound man was applauded by all corners of the ground as he was substituted six minutes from time. Job done for Arsenal but tougher challenges will await as it progresses to the knockout rounds for the 14th consecutive season.
Follow GOAL.COM USA on
Does this article fire you up? Comment below and your opinion could be featured in the Boost Mobile Hot Topics published every Thursday. Click here for more details.
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
12 | 0 |
|
Robert Lewandowski Striker Borussia Dortmund |
10 | 1 |
|
Thomas Müller Striker FC Bayern München |
8 | 1 |
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
8 | 0 |
|
Burak Yılmaz Striker Galatasaray |
8 | 0 |
