Welbeck scores hat-trick, Arsenal crushes Galatasaray

Four goals from new signings Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez helped Arsenal win 4-1 in the second round of the Champions League group stage yesterday, October 1.

Arsenal's victory was decided within the first 52 minutes. They led 3-0 at half-time with Welbeck scoring twice between the 22nd and 30th minutes, before Alexis added another fatal blow to Galatasaray with a goal in the 41st minute.

Welbeck, with his increasingly good form, is gradually proving that he is worthy of Arsenal's trust. Photo: Reuters.

Any hopes of a turnaround for the Turkish side were dashed early in the second half when Welbeck completed his hat-trick in the 52nd minute. It wasn't until the 63rd minute that Galatasaray finally scored after Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny was sent off for a foul. ButBurak Yilmaz's successful penalty was all the visitors could muster in a match in which they were completely outclassed by the home side.

The big win gave Arsenal their first three points in the Champions League group stage this season and raised their hopes of qualifying for the next round. But the way they crushed Galatasaray showed even greater things. Wenger's team more or less dispelled any doubts about their strength that came from a 0-2 defeat at Dortmund in the first round as well as results that were far from expected in the Premier League, where Arsenal are unbeaten but have drawn four of their first six games of the season.

Galatasaray were supported by a group of fans from their home country, who lit up a corner of the Emirates Stadium with flares. But on the pitch, the Turkish team appeared completely harmless against an Arsenal side that seemed crippled by injuries to their midfield.

It was not until they had an extra man in the final 30 minutes that Galatasaray began to dominate. However, despite launching many shots leading to statistical dominance (18, compared to Arsenal's 12), not counting Yilmaz's successful penalty kick, Cesare Prandelli's team was still unable to find a way into the home team's net.

Experts were deeply concerned for Arsenal because they lost all three optimal options in the midfield area due to injuries to Ramsey, Arteta, and Wilshere was not fit enough to start. But Wenger's personnel and playing style yesterday were surprisingly effective. He brought Cazorla into the middle of the field, acting as a bridge next to the holding midfielder Flamini, used the wings Alexis (left), Chamberlain (right) and Ozil to play behind Welbeck, and let Arsenal attack immediately after the opening whistle.

The seemingly patchwork system put Alexis, Welbeck and Ozil in their preferred positions and provided the platform for them to shine. Alexis created the opening goal in the 22nd minute, receiving the ball from Gibbs and moving inside before passing to Welbeck who finished one-on-one with Muslera. The Chilean then scored himself in the 41st minute, receiving the ball from Ozil, twisting past defender Chedjou and beating Muslera.

Alexis shined in the role of a left-sided midfielder, contributing one goal and one assist. Photo: SM.

In between Alexis' two signature goals, Welbeck got himself on the scoresheet for the second time in the 30th minute. It was a situation where the £26.5m new signing showed all the qualities needed in a striker - the sensitivity, speed, power and accuracy - that Arsenal have been searching for since Van Persie's departure. Welbeck beat Melo in the air, drove forward and beat Muslera with a low, decisive shot.

Welbeck could have completed his own hat-trick just minutes after his second goal, but Ozil set him up and fired straight at Muslera. But on a sublime evening at the Emirates, Welbeck's third and Arsenal's fourth came seven minutes after the break. The striker whom Van Gaal had dismissed as not good enough to keep at United quietly moved in behind the Galatasaray defence to receive the ball from Chamberlain, then chipped a delicate chip over Muslera to extend the lead to four goals.

The football party at the Emirates would have been more wonderful for Arsenal and their home fans, if not for the situation where their defense was careless, allowing Yilmaz to escape into the penalty area, forcing goalkeeper Szczesny to foul the Galatasaray striker and receive a straight red card. Despite losing a player, Arsenal still maintained their three-goal lead until the end of the match, playing impressive defense throughout the remaining time.

Szczesny's straight red card was the only negative for Arsenal in yesterday's convincing victory. Photo: Reuters.

Sneijder had two good chances to further reduce the gap and ignite the hope of a miracle for Galatasaray, but the Dutch star failed to capitalize on both. Indulging in attack, towards the end of the match, the away team almost conceded a fifth goal if their two defenders had not quickly come back to cover, saving Muslera when the goalkeeper was defeated by Cazorla in a one-on-one situation.

Arsenal, at home, still seem to be the nemesis of Turkish representatives. Including yesterday's match, the "Gunners" have won six times and only drawn four times when hosting teams from the Bosphorus Strait in European competition.

Line-up:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Ozil (Wilshere 77), Sanchez (Ospina 62), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Rosicky 68), Welbeck.

Unused subs: Coquelin, Bellerin, Campbell, Podolski.

Scorers: Welbeck 22, 30 & 52, Sanchez 41.

Yellow card: Flamini 44.

Red card: Szczesny 60.

Galatasaray: Muslera, Chedjou, Felipe Melo, Semih Kaya, Veysel (Bulut 68), Yekta (Altintop 46), Dzemaili, Telles, Sneijder, Pandev (Bruma 68), Burak Yılmaz.

Unused Subs: Bolat, Balta, Adin, Camdal.

Goal scorer: Yilmaz pen 63

Yellow cards: Melo 34, Dzemaili 43.

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy)

According to VnExpress.net