Arsenal booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League courtesy of a hard-fought 3-2 win at Ludogorets on Tuesday.
The Bulgarian champions, who were thumped 6-0 by Arsene Wenger’s side a fortnight ago, raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Jonathan Cafu and Claudio Keseru inside the first 15 minutes.
However, Wenger’s men, who were looking to stretch their 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions, hit back through Granit Xhaka five minutes later, and then levelled the contest just before half-time thanks to Olivier Giroud’s header.
As both sides looked to get the winner, it was a moment of brilliance from Mesut Ozil which sealed the victory for Arsenal, as the German World Cup winner chipped the goalkeeper and then reduced two home defenders to the floor before slotting into an empty net.
The result means that Wenger’s men are already through the last 16, and remain top of Group A despite Paris Saint-Germain’s late winner at Basel.
The French champions are level on points with the Gunners, and travel to the Emirates in three weeks’ time in a match that could decide the outcome of the group.
Unsurprisingly, fans took to Twitter after the game to voice their views on the match and, while the performance received mixed opinions, many were thrilled to see the fighting spirit help the Gunners get the three points…
https://twitter.com/damas_mulia/status/793610545119191040
2-0 down, and then turn it back to 2-3 win. What an amazing away game performance @Arsenal !
— Diaz A (@diazjojo) November 1, 2016
A messy performance, but players battle on to win. That's what you want to see. Guts, perseverance, gall. #Arsenal #UCL
— Ina State (@GunnerState) November 1, 2016
Not a good performance but great spirit from the players.
Hope it continues on Sunday against spurs.— Shehab Eldin Abdelrahman (@SheeboArsenal) November 1, 2016
Although some did voice concerns about the performance, many recognised the part Ozil played in the win, and one suggested that the Gunners should get a contract sorted immediately for the midfielder…
Far from @arsenal best performance but great character shown to come back from two goals. @MesutOzil1088 goal was magical. Well done guyz!
— J O S H (@_manlikejosh_) November 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/Fortuneachonna/status/793609839163432960
After @MesutOzil1088 performance tonight, @Arsenal should shut up and give ozil his contract demands. #COYG #MesutOEzil
— HODOR (@Eb_Chidi) November 1, 2016
While some have looked towards the rest of the season with optimism after a 15th game without defeat…
https://twitter.com/Chike____/status/793763516280963072
i think we the gunners can win this season EPL and do very well in the champs league. fantastic performance from Wenger and his boys
— Menstrual Pains (@wengermustgo1) November 2, 2016