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Arsenal Stadium - London 21/11/2012 - 20:45CET (19:45 local time)
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Arsenal - Montpellier 2-0 - 21/11/2012 - Match page - UEFA Champions League 2013
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Arsenal defeat Montpellier to progress yet again
Arsenal FC qualified for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a match to spare thanks to an assured home victory against Montpellier Hérault SC, now guaranteed to finish bottom of Group B.
An improved second-half display from Arsène Wenger's side was graced by goals from Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski, both of which came virtue of former Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud's assists and capped moves of sumptuous quality. Having managed a single point from their double-header against FC Schalke 04, Arsenal's win – combined with the Bundesliga team beating Olympiacos FC – carried the Gunners beyond this stage for the 13th successive season.
Match in 5
- Arsenal through to last 16 for 13th season in a row
- Montpellier finish bottom of Group B and out of Europe
- Wilshere opens scoring for hosts
- Stunning Podolski strike extends lead
- Giroud sets up both goals against former club
Reaction
Montpellier played very well, but we have the three points and we are very happy about it. We have a tough game against Olympiacos, but we want to win there.
Lukas Podolski, Arsenal forward
Perhaps it was one game too far for us this evening. We gave everything, but if we can't score goals it becomes more difficult.
René Girard, Montpellier coach
Lineups
 | Arsenal |  | Montpellier |
| 1 | Szczęsny (GK) | 16 | Jourdren (GK) |
| 3 | Sagna | 3 | Yanga-Mbiwa (C) |
| 4 | Mertesacker | 5 | Bedimo 66 |
| 5 | Vermaelen (C) | 8 | Mounier |
| 6 | Koscielny76 | 9 | Charbonnier 69 |
| 8 | Arteta | 10 | Belhanda |
| 9 | Podolski 63 | 12 | Congré |
| 10 | Wilshere49 | 13 | Estrada80 |
| 12 | Giroud5385 | 20 | Cabella69 |
| 15 | Oxlade-Chamberlain70 | 21 | El Kaoutari |
| 19 | Santi Cazorla3984 | 25 | Deplagne83 |
Substitutes | |||
| 24 | Mannone (GK) | 1 | Pionnier (GK) |
| 16 | Ramsey70 | 4 | Hilton |
| 22 | Coquelin84 | 6 | Marveaux80 |
| 23 | Arshavin | 11 | Herrera69 |
| 25 | Jenkinson | 14 | Pitau |
| 27 | Gervinho85 | 27 | Jeunechamp |
| 28 | Gibbs | 28 | Martin69 |
Coaches | |||
| Arsène Wenger (FRA) | René Girard (FRA) | ||
Referee | |||
| Fırat Aydınus (TUR) | |||
Standings
Group B
| P | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Schalke | 5 | 11 |
| 2 |  Arsenal | 5 | 10 |
| 3 |  Olympiacos | 5 | 6 |
| 4 |  Montpellier | 5 | 1 |
Legend:
- P: Played
- Pts: Points
Match statistics
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Minute By Minute
- 85Gervinho (in) - Giroud (out) (Arsenal)
Olivier Giroud receives an ovation from the home fans after setting up two goals against his former side. - 84Coquelin (in) - Santi Cazorla (out) (Arsenal)
- 83Deplagne (Montpellier) is cautioned by the referee.
- 80Marveaux (in) - Estrada (out) (Montpellier)
See also
Arsenal
Next match played UEFA Champions League: v Olympiacos, 04 December 2012, 2-1
Montpellier
Next match UEFA Champions League: v Schalke, 04 December 2012
Firat Aydınus calls time on an exciting game in north London. Goals from Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski give Arsenal a result that - due to Schalke's 1-0 win over Olympiacos - puts the Gunners into the round of 16.