Theo Walcott: Arsenal’s ‘never give up’ spirit will scare Champions League rivals

Olympiakos vs Arsenal - player ratings

• 1/12 Petr Cech: 7

  Kept alert through extended periods with little or nothing to do; when he was called upon he was never found wanting. His save from Fortounis at 2-0 was vital in keeping the Gunners on top.

• 2/12 Hector Bellerin: 5

  Another disappointing display from the Spaniard, who has not looked quite the same since returning from injury last month. His passing was loose and he struggled defensively with the pacey, tricky Seba, though he received next to no support from Walcott.

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• 3/12 Per Mertesacker: 6

  Struggled with the pace of Ideye early on, a difficulty he did not make any easier by strolling forward far too often. But an excellent diving tackle on the hour mark revitalized the German, who was then crucial in repelling Olympiakos crosses into the area.

• 4/12 Laurent Koscielny: 8

  Absolutely outstanding in the early period as his colleagues seemed determined to play into Olympiakos hands. On at least two occasions he cut out what would have been almost certain goals as he dived to clear crosses.

• 5/12 Nacho Monreal: 7

  Became increasingly vital to Arsenal’s attacking play when Walcott switched to the left, and his crossing was far better than it has been for much of the season. That he combined this with solid defensive work capped a very good display.

• 6/12 Aaron Ramsey: 6

  Could not be blamed for his booking, coming as it did when Olympiakos were breaking with menace whenever Arsenal gave the ball away. Indeed Ramsey showed notable defensive skills in the first half, tackling well to stop goalscoring opportunities.

  2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

• 7/12 Mathieu Flamini: 6

  Too often he was caught out of position when the hosts broke, chasing the ball rather than holding the defensive line. In the second half he was simply a passenger as those further forward took charge.

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• 8/12 Theo Walcott: 6

  Unselfishly flitted around the frontline, looking for the best place in which to help his team-mates. But his hard work arguably let him down, as he seemed unable to establish an understanding with his team-mates.

• 9/12 Mesut Ozil: 7

  It may not have been another assist for his burgeoning tally, but Ozil’s pass for Monreal in the build-up to the opener was the sort of incisive moment Wenger needed from his star man. With Olympiakos’ defence packed in front of him he was unlikely to get many chances to create, but he made what he did get count.

• 10/12 Joel Campbell: 8

  Another display to silence the doubters, and Campbell may now have overtaken Oxlade-Chamberlain in the pecking order. A brilliant reverse pass from the Costa Rican gave Giroud his second.

• 11/12 Olivier Giroud: 9

  A brilliant display from the striker, who dominated Da Costa and Siovas to give Arsenal a vital outball. His powerful header was too much for Roberto before he shrugged off what seemed a serious injury to make it two. He then secured the hat-trick he deserved from the spot.

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• 12/12 Kieran Gibbs: 6

  By the time he came on the game was well over, but he did his role in ensuring Arsenal did not chase a fourth and leave themselves liable to be caught out.