Arsenal vs. Galatasaray: Score, Grades and Reaction from Champions League Game

Danny Welbeck and Arsenal profited from an abject Galatasaray defence as they romped to a 4-1 victory in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Welbeck scored his first professional hat-trick to set the Gunners on their way to a comprehensive victory, and Alexis Sanchez rounded out the scoring in what was a comfortable night’s work for the home side.

Burak Yilmaz got a consolation goal for the Turkish side from the penalty spot, after Wojciech Szczesny had been shown a red card for a professional foul following a mistimed challenge on the striker. It was the one sour note on an otherwise comfortable night for Arsene Wenger, who was celebrating his 18-year anniversary in charge of the club.

The result leaves Arsenal second in Group D, behind Borussia Dortmund—who also won on the night against Anderlecht.

Afterwards, Welbeck told Sky Sports:

"

I'm delighted to get goals but the most important thing is to get three points after the first game. United reserves was probably the last time I got a hat-trick. 

I've been working on scoring more goals and tonight it paid off. The manager's shown a lot of faith in me and I'm pleased to pay him back. I'm up-front, in the position I want to be in. 

"

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Arsenal fans received a welcome surprise, as Wenger reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mesut Ozil occupying the No. 10 position. That did leave something of a trade-off at the base of midfield, however, with Mathieu Flamini seemingly expected to do most of the dirty work on his own—Santi Cazorla his only partner in the central area.

Galatasaray, to their eventual downfall, were even more experimental—with midfielder Felipe Melo dropping into a defensive three alongside Aurelien Chedjou and Semih Kaya. It was an unfamiliar setup from coach Cesare Prandelli, and one the Italian would come to regret.

With the away fans making a huge noise from the very first whistle, the game started at a similarly fiery pace, with wing-back Alex Telles catching the eye with some incisive runs and Welbeck and Sanchez both wasting little time in tormenting the away side’s new-look defence.

It took about 20 minutes for Arsenal to wrest full control of the contest, but once they did it seemed to be just a matter of time before they opened the scoring. And that did indeed happen two minutes later, as Welbeck latched onto Sanchez’s astute through-ball before slipping his shot between Fernando Muslera’s legs.

Shortly after, Sanchez scuffed his own opportunity to get on the scoresheet, but soon enough Arsenal were two in front. This time Welbeck was able to feast on two defensive errors; Chedjou’s defensive header putting his team in danger, as the striker then brushed off the abject Melo before coolly passing his shot around Muslera.

It was a second example of clinical finishing from the former Manchester United striker, who seemed to be revelling in his central role.

Welbeck then struck a first-time shot straight at Muslera as he went in search of his hat-trick, with Goran Pandev wasting a rare opening for the visitors. The travelling supporters seemed infuriated by what they were watching, throwing flares onto the pitch to express their disgust.

Unfortunately for them, it was to get worse still. This time, it was Sanchez who rolled his shot past Muslera, after being played in by a brilliant ball from Ozil. The German had been quiet but efficient in his preferred central role; this was his first moment of real class.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

In the second half, Prandelli attempted to amend his tactical mistakes, bringing on the experienced Hamit Altintop to offer a bit more control in midfield. The tweak had a certain amount of success, although Arsenal continued to dominate the play and roam forward almost at will.

Indeed, it was only seven minutes into the second half when Welbeck completed his hat-trick, his first at senior level. It was similar to his opener, except this time Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the provider as the striker dinked his shot over the hapless Muslera and into the gaping net.

With 30 minutes still to go the job was as good as done, although there was to be a slight spanner thrown in the works when Szczesny hauled down Yilmaz after misjudging the path of the ball. The red card was immediate and deserved, leading to the introduction of David Ospina for the unfortunate Sanchez.

The Colombian was unable to mark his debut with a penalty save, as Yilmaz dusted himself down and duly slotted his attempt to the goalkeeper’s left.

Wenger duly shifted his side tactically to factor in their numerical disadvantage, and the closing 20 minutes saw Galatasaray enjoy more territory than they had previously managed over the course of the match. Ospina did not look particularly convincing in his cameo appearance, although there was never any prospect of Galatasaray sparking a comeback for the ages.

The victory leaves Arsenal second in Group D with three points, behind Borussia Dortmund—who vanquished them on the opening day. With back-to-back fixtures against Anderlecht coming up, Wenger knows his side can go a long way to securing another last-16 spot with two victories over the Belgians.

On this evidence that is an eminently achievable prospect, especially if Welbeck can continue this goalscoring form and Sanchez remains his bustling, incisive self. For Galatasaray, meanwhile, Prandelli will doubtless be acutely aware his defensive arrangement did not work at all on this night—a lot of work will need to be put in on the training ground to make them a competent defensive unit, especially if they stick with the three-man system.

On this night that tactic was brutally exposed, with Welbeck on top form as he took full advantage. 

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Player Ratings

Player	Rating
Wojciech Szczesny	5
Calum Chambers	6
Per Mertesacker	6
Laurent Koscielny	6
Kieran Gibbs	6
Mathieu Flamini	7
Santi Cazorla	7
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain	7
Alexis Sanchez	8
Mesut Ozil	7
Danny Welbeck	9
Substitutions
David Ospina	6
Tomas Rosicky	6
Jack Wilshere	6

Player	Rating
Fernando Muslera	6
Alex Telles	6
Aurelien Chedjou	5
Semih Kaya	6
Veysel Sari	5
Felipe Melo	4
Yekta Kurtulus	5
Blerim Dzemaili	5
Wesley Sneijder	5
Goran Pandev	6
Burak Yilmaz	6
Substitutions
Hamit Altintop	6
Bruma	6
Umut Bulut	6

What's Next?

Arsenal now face Anderlecht twice (away and at home) in their next two fixtures, a run of games from which they will surely expect to garner six points. That means Galatasaray will face Borussia Dortmund in their double-header—they know they must get a return from those games if they are to retain any real hope of reaching the knockout stages.