Wilshere and Podolski goals see Gunners through group

Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski sealed a 2-0 win for Arsenal on Wednesday night against French Champions Montpellier. The victory ensured the Gunners a place in the knock out stages of the Champions League for the thirteenth successive season thanks to Schalke beating Olympiacos in the other group B tie of the round. Arsenal took a while to find their rhythm in the game and it was once more a pretty poor first half. However they turned things round in the second thanks to Wilshere's comeback goal and a sumptuous volley from Lukas Podolski. The Gunners made one change from the victory over Spurs as Oxlade-Chamberlain came in for the injured Theo Walcott. Meanwhile Gibbs and Gervinho returned to the bench following injuries.

Jack Wilshere scored his first goal since returning from injury

The first chance of the game came on 10 minutes as Vermaelen's cross found Koscielny but his header thundered back off the crossbar.

Montpellier's first opening came a few minutes later as M'Biwa split the defence with a pass through to Mounier but Szczesny came out to stop the player going any further with the ball.

Arsenal's next chance came from Jack Wilshere's corner. The ball wasn't cleared properly and it fell to Oxlade-Chamberlain on the edge of the box but he struck a tame effort which was easily saved.

On the half hour mark Podolski had a good chance to put the Gunners ahead. Koscielny surged forward from the back and then lost the ball. However Podolski picked it up, got into the penalty area and slid his shot wide of the goal.

Podolski then had another opportunity to score as Cazorla slid the ball through to him but the German put his effort wide once more.

Montpellier hadn't created much but just before the break Belhanda tried his luck from range but the ball flew over the crossbar.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Just 4 minutes after the break, Arsenal were ahead. Vermaelen's cross was knocked down by Giroud into the path of Wilshere who dinked the ball past the goalkeeper for his first goal in almost 2 years.

The Gunners then found themselves 2-0 up shortly after the hour mark. Podolski played a one-two with Giroud before letting fly with a thumping volley from 12 yards out which flew past Jourden in the Montpellier goal.

Cazorla then almost found the net in a rather fortuatous manner as Giroud found him in space but the Spaniard sliced his shot and Jourden managed to turn it behind for a corner.

Olivier Giroud hadn't created much for himself in the game but almost found the net against his old club but for the goalkeeper who saved well from almost point blank range with 10 minutes to go.

Montpellier then fired in their best shot of the game in injury time as Herrara let fly from outside the area but the ball bounced wide of the goal.

It was job done at the Emirates as the final score finished Arsenal 2-0 Montpellier.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla(84), Oxlade-Chamberlain(69), Podolski, Giroud(84).
Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Coquelin(84), Ramsey(69), Arshavin, Gervinho(84).

Montpellier: Jourden, Deplagne, Congre, El Kaoutari, Bedimo, Yanba-M'Biwa, Estrada(79), Belhanda, Mounier, Cabella(68), Charbonnier(68). 
Subs: Pionnier, Hilton, Marveaux(79), Martin(68), Herrera(68), Jeunechamp, Pitau. 

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere

Referee: Firat Aydinus(TUR)
Attendance: 59,760.