A Danny Welbeck hat-trick has helped Arsenal record a comprehensive 4-1 victory against Galatasaray in tonight's Champions League Group D clash at the Emirates, despite having Wojciech Szczesny sent off on the hour.
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The Gunners showed intent from the get-go, Welbeck sprinting down the left flank early on, but with his teammates unable to keep up, the ex-Manchester United man did well to earn a corner.
Just a few minutes later, Alex Telles and Blerim Dzemaili were able to exchange passes on the left-hand side before the former lashed an effort towards goal which failed to trouble Sczcesny.
The breakthrough duly arrived for the home side in the 22nd minute, as Alexis Sanchez slid an inch-perfect pass for Welbeck, who was able to slot past Fernando Muslera.
The England international then doubled his and Arsenal's tally on the half-hour mark when he went clean through on goal before beating the Galatasaray goalkeeper with a calm finish.
The match then suffered a delay after fans threw flares onto the pitch, but Arsene Wenger's side weren't perturbed, adding to their goal tally in the 41st minute when Sanchez collected a pass from Mesut Ozil before cutting onto his right foot and drilling the ball into the bottom corner.
Things would get even better for Arsenal as Welbeck completed his hat-trick just eight minutes after the restart, the ex-Red Devil timing his run well to meet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's incisive pass before clipping the ball over Muslera and into the net.
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Galatasaray did get a goal back on the hour when Szczesny clattered into Burak Yilmaz to gift the Turkish giants a penalty, the Pole also receiving a straight red for his troubles.
The 29-year-old from Antalya duly stepped up and blasted the ball into the bottom corner past substitute goalkeeper David Ospina.
Smelling blood, Cesare Prandelli's side laid siege to the Arsenal goal in the latter stages of the game, but the Colombian stopper, signed by the Gunners in the summer, was able to pull off a series of skilful saves to thwart Yilmaz and Wesley Sneijder.
Ultimately, Galatasaray were unable to capitalise on their man advantage, ensuring that the Gunners would nevertheless secure an emphatic Champions League victory to put their campaign back on track.
The result means that Arsenal climb to second place in Group D, while their beleaguered opponents fall to the bottom.
Giuseppe Labellarte
