Into last 16 again

back Hector Bellerin and it quickly became apparent here why. With Walcott short of match sharpness and wandering forwards, Olympiacos immediately targeted Bellerín.

Campbell’s switch to the right, however, was another turning point in extending Wenger’s proud record of guiding Arsenal into the last 16 of the Champions League in every season since 2000.

Having extended this achievement after flirting so closely with the Europa League, Arsenal will now go into next Monday’s draw with renewed momentum.

It is perhaps fanciful to draw too many comparisons with Liverpool’s similarly dramatic passage into the last 16 back in 2004-05 when they ultimately won the competition but, in sport, surviving near defeat can often provide unusual strength.

It should also aid Arsenal’s Premier League title push. Wenger’s joyous reaction to beating Sunderland underlined how he sees a huge opportunity this season and, after all the injuries of the past month, these past five days have provided the most timely boost. Failing in Europe would have prompted major questions of Wenger.

The days of restricted commercial income while they funded the construction of the Emirates Stadium have now passed and Arsenal are supposed to have entered an era in which they could go beyond simply reaching the last 16 of this tournament and actually challenge the recent dominance of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

With revenues soaring towards £350m, Arsenal should be driving forwards in Europe rather than going backwards.

That they now have that chance is thanks to Giroud. (© Daily Telegraph, London)