Danny Welbeck hit a superb hat-trick – and showed some breathtaking skill – as Arsenal enjoyed a comfortable win over Galatasaray at the Emirates in the Champions League

Published: October 1, 2014
By TOM FOOT at the Emirates Stadium

UEFA Champions League
ARSENAL 4, GALATASARAY 1

ARSENE Wenger hailed the "electric" Danny Welbeck after his new signing lit up the Emirates with a Champions League hat trick last night (Wednesday). 

The Arsenal boss said the Manchester United outcast's authoritative display in the 4-1 routing of Galatasaray had pleasantly surprised him. He said: "Technically he is very sound. He is a clean, and a good passer. But I did not know he was so quick, honestly. He is electric, great pace.

Welbeck scores on his way to his first senior hat-trick

"He has good transition from defence to attack. His link play is good and his work rate and his attitude are very positive. But he is a team player, not only a finisher.

“It's good to see because you can see the potential is there,” he added.

Welbeck poked in the opener on 21 minutes after Alexis Sanchez split Galatasaray's five man defence with a perfect pass. He pounced again on the half hour mark, heading a stray bouncing ball beautifully into his path before coolly slotting into the far corner.

There was a brief pause in play as the visiting fans' continental-style red smoke flares were removed from the pitch before Alexis made it three, cutting inside his man and again rolling past hapless Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. 

Welbeck got his hat trick with a first time dink finish seven minutes after the restart, but his best moment came when he cheekily flicked the ball over his marker in the centre circle before surging at goal in a blistering solo charge. He didn't score this time – but the confidence, power and skill had the home fans rocking.

Wojciech Szczesny took some of the shine off the victory when he was sent off on the hour, bringing down Burak Yilmaz, who picked himself up to send substitute keeper David Ospina the wrong way from the spot.

The Gunners travel to face Premier League pace-setters at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but Wenger didn't want to think that far ahead just yet, saying, “Lets not talk about Chelsea tonight".

ARSENAL: Szczesny (sent off), Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Rosicky, 68), Ozil (Wilshere, 77), Cazorla. Sanchez (Ospina, 62), Welbeck.Subs not used: Podolski, Campbell, Coquelin, Bellerín.

Attendance: 60,007