Arsenal vs. Ludogorets: Score, Reaction from 2016 Champions League Match

Mesut Ozil bagged a hat-trick as Arsenal cruised to an easy 6-0 win over Ludogorets on Wednesday, continuing their fine form in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League.

Alexis Sanchez gave the hosts the lead with a beautiful chipped goal early, and Theo Walcott doubled their advantage shortly before half-time.

A third goal by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain early in the second half all but secured the three points for the Gunners, and Ozil added three more goals to complete a fantastic night for the hosts.

As Arsenal's official Twitter account shared, manager Arsene Wenger opted to rest Petr Cech, giving David Ospina a chance in goal, while Francis Coquelin started in midfield:

The Gunners expected to dominate from start to finish, but Ludogorets started the match in positive fashion, holding their own in the midfield battle and coming away with a fair bit of possession.

Sanchez was almost picked out twice, first by Ozil and then by Hector Bellerin, and it quickly became clear the visitors' defence struggled with the pace as soon as Arsenal increased the tempo.

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Walcott perhaps should have scored early but for some reason refused to pull the trigger from a promising position. Sanchez quickly erased his mistake, however, as the Chilean beat goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov with a delightful chip after he initially seemed to lose his momentum.

Sports commentator Ian Abrahams loved it:

So did Bleacher Report UK:

The quick advantage was what the hosts needed, but Ludogorets almost hit back within minutes. Ospina made a fine save to deny Virgil Misidjan, with the Gunners giving the winger too much space.

The visitors put together a strong outing, but they never managed to create any major problems early in the first half. Arsenal didn't push up the pitch much, either, but they did create better chances.

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Ozil took too long to get a shot off after a cross from Walcott and had his attempt blocked, and Coquelin could only find Stoyanov with a sharp cross.

Misidjan had the equaliser at his feet after an error by Shkodran Mustafi on a ball over the top, but Ospina was alert to the danger and quickly came off his line, troubling the winger.

The back-up impressed Bleacher Report's James McNicholas:

Ludogorets caused some issues with balls over the top toward the end of the half, and a nearly identical attack, again led by Misidjan, ended with Marcelinho smashing a deflected shot off the post.

But just as the visitors seemed to be improving, Arsenal struck again. Ozil picked out Walcott, who created some space with a great turn and powered home a high finish.

Per WhoScored.com, the England international is enjoying a great season:

Oxlade-Chamberlain picked out Sanchez for the final chance of the half, but the former Barcelona man couldn't guide his header on target.

It took the Gunners just minutes to add a third goal after half-time, with Kieran Gibbs seeing his cross cleared right at Oxlade-Chamberlain, who slotted it home.

Fox Soccer loved what the hosts were doing:

The third goal effectively broke Ludogorets' spirits, and powered by an excellent Coquelin, Arsenal's midfield took over. The Gunners were patient and steadily built their attacks, and Ozil made it 4-0 after a great move by Santi Cazorla.

Walcott almost picked out Sanchez, with Stoyanov making a key interception, and Ludogorets barely managed to keep out a host of crosses.

Ozil found Oxlade-Chamberlain with a good ball over the top, and the former Southampton man almost scored a beauty, firing a first-time volley that gave Stoyanov a lot of trouble.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Substitute Lucas Perez delivered Ozil his second goal on a platter, and he repeated the feat to complete Ozil's hat-trick, firing in another perfect cross from the opposite flank.

Perez almost added a seventh as Ozil turned provider, but his effort rolled out for a goal-kick.

Despite the big win, Wenger refused to get swept away with enthusiasm, per the Champions League's official Twitter account:

Arsenal's next match will be in the Premier League against Middlesbrough on Saturday, while Ludogorets will return to action against Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa in the Bulgarian A League.