Danny Welbeck: Arsenal striker was electric - Arsene Wenger
- Published
Wenger 'didn't realise' Welbeck was so fast
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger described Danny Welbeck as "electric" after the striker scored his first professional hat-trick in Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League win over Galatasaray.
The England international, 23, netted twice in the first half at the Emirates before getting a third after the break.
Welbeck has now scored four goals in three games, and Wenger said: "I knew he was quick but he's electric.
"Hopefully that hat-trick will help him gain confidence."
Welbeck makes his mark |
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Danny Welbeck is the sixth Englishman to score a hat-trick in the Champions League |
The others to have done so are Mike Newell (Blackburn - 1995), Andrew Cole (Manchester United - 1997 & 2000), Michael Owen (Liverpool - 2002 & Manchester United - 2009), Alan Shearer (Newcastle - 2003) and Wayne Rooney (Manchester United - 2004) |
Welbeck played as the main striker against Galatasaray, with Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain behind him.
The quartet combined to great effect, with Welbeck twice making intelligent runs to finish off passes from Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
He also used his pace and power to score Arsenal's second after a poor header by Galatasaray's Aurelien Chedjou.
Welbeck scored 10 goals in 35 games last season for United, but often played in a wider position.
Analysis from former Arsenal defender Martin Keown on BBC Radio 5 live |
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"The fans already have a special relationship with Danny Welbeck and they're singing his name. |
"He'll be realising his career is taking off, he's the darling of the Arsenal fans. He just keeps making the runs, he's loving his football, he's got a smile on his face and the goals keep coming." |
He has been employed as a central striker since joining Arsenal on transfer deadline day and, although Wenger believes Welbeck is benefitting from a run in his favoured position, he feels his experience of playing on the wing has helped develop him as a team player.
"It always helps to know that you have a good chance to play in the next game," added Wenger, 64.
"What's good for me is that his link play is good as well. His teamwork and his work rate is at the level of the team.
"His attitude is very positive - he's a team player, not just a finisher. He has learned that on the flank and he wants to help the team."
The one negative for Arsenal on Wednesday was the dismissal of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was sent off for a foul on Burak Yilmaz with the Gunners 4-0 ahead.
Danny Welbeck's goals were his first in the Champions League for Arsenal
Substitute goalkeeper David Ospina replaced Szczesny, but could not keep out Yilmaz's penalty.
"Szczesny tried to come out and was a fraction late so he conceded the penalty. It can happen," said Wenger.
"The fact is that we're more guilty of losing the ball in our own half - it can be dangerous and we didn't defend too well on that front."
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