Wenger's saviour: Giroud enjoys his finest hour for Arsenal

Olivier Giroud has been scrutinised and criticised for so much of his Arsenal career, but he delivered when his side needed him more than ever in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The striker’s hat-trick secured a 3-0 win here at Olympiacos that completed the Gunners’ great escape as they booked a place in the last 16 of the competition for a 16th season in a row.

Giroud’s performances in the Champions League have echoed Arsenal’s this season. He was sent-off in the dreadful loss to Dinamo Zagreb in their opening match as Arsene Wenger’s side left themselves staring up a cliff with defeats in their first two group fixtures.

But the Frenchman scored the opener in the 2-0 home win over Bayern Munich that gave Arsenal some hope. And now this - his glory night.

Redemption for his awful performance against Monaco last season when Arsenal fans cheered his substitution, two fingers pointed towards those who claim he is too mentally fragile when the pressure is really on.

It was also another repayment to Wenger, who declined to sign another striker last summer despite the pleas of the supporters.

Who would have thought that Giroud would be his get out of jail free card?

Wenger would have been facing serious questions had he failed to get Arsenal out of a group in which they should have strolled through along with Bayern Munich.

Giroud scored his first of the night in the 29th minute with a brilliant header at the near post as he used every fibre in his neck muscles to power Aaron Ramsey's cross in via the post and goalkeeper Roberto.

He also showed he could take a physical battering. Shortly after the start of the second-half, Giroud twisted his ankle and looked for all the world that he would have to come off.

Instead, he dusted himself down and scored the second four minutes later, latching on to a wonderful Joel Campbell pass and sliding into the bottom corner first time. Arsenal’s very own Lazarus.

His hat-trick arrived from the penalty spot in the 67th minute to ease the nerves of Arsenal’s fans and put the result beyond doubt.

At a ground where Arsenal have lost on their last three visits, against a side that beat them in north London in September and without several key players, Arsenal needed someone to step up.

Giroud did just that to complete Arsenal’s rise from the ashes and book their place in Monday’s draw for the knockout stages.