Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored a contender for goal of the season when he blasted home a 30-metre volley to help his team cruise past Galatasaray 4-1 to finish second in Champions League group D on Tuesday.
The Welsh international scored twice, as did Arsenal’s Germany striker Lukas Podolski, whose opener, a brilliantly taken angled left-foot shot after three minutes, set them on the way to an easy win over the already-eliminated hosts.
Arsenal had to win and hope Dortmund lost at home to Anderlecht to finish top of the group but the German side drew 1-1, meaning the Londoners needed to have triumphed by six goals.
We came out strong and that’s what I wanted from the players. This group has a good dynamic and they showed that from the start
Dortmund and Arsenal both finished with 13 points but the German side took top spot with a better goal difference, leaving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to praise his side’s performance on the night.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t enough but we finished with 13 points and did a job tonight. We came out strong and that’s what I wanted from the players. This group has a good dynamic and they showed that from the start.”
Wenger said he wondered what Ramsey was doing when he set himself up for his shot.
“I thought maybe that’s not the best of ideas but the way it went in was absolutely unbelievable” he told Sky Sports.