LONDON // Arsenal being able to dismantle a moderate side at home is not really big news, so it would be wrong to read too much into a comfortable 4-1 dismissal of an ill-disciplined Galatasaray side.
But still, after only one victory in their past six games, this was a win to be savoured and one that might, in time, come to be seen as a big night in the career of Danny Welbeck.
It was not just that he got a hat-trick; it was the way he took his goals. For a player who supposedly cannot finish – and it is true that he has missed a series of high-profile chances – he showed a magnificently deft touch last night.
His second goal in particular – as he ran to Aurelian Chedjou’s misplaced back-header before sweeping the ball past Fernando Muslera as his feet slid from under him – was reminiscent of Thierry Henry.
His third, though, dinked with minimalist efficiency over Muslera from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s through ball, was sublime, a real goal-scorer’s goal.
But for all the praise that will rightly go Welbeck’s way, it must be said that this was a startlingly poor Galatasaray – so bad their own fans turned their backs at the beginning of the second half – and one susceptible to just the sort of pace and direct running that Welbeck brings.
Perhaps the use of a back three, with Felipe Melo as the middle of three central defenders, was intended to guard against Arsenal’s pace – although they did play like that against Sivasspor at the weekend – but all four goals came the same way.
The first of the night was Welbeck’s. He scampered on to Alexis Sanchez’s through ball and poked the ball between Muslera’s legs.
Arsenal’s third, scored four minutes before half-time, was much the same, Mesut Ozil played a delightful pass for Alexis to run on to and shape his finish into the bottom corner. Galatasaray’s line was simply too high for the lack of pressure they put on the ball.
But this is Arsenal, and that means nothing can ever be entirely simple. With the game won and the mood buoyant, a little sourness was added when Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for bringing down Burak Yilmaz as he bore down on goal.
The forward picked himself up to slam the penalty past David Ospina, who later made a spectacular save to deny the striker
Even playing the final half an hour a man down could not disguise Arsenal’s superiority.
The problem is, as good as Arsenal were, this result means nothing as far as Sunday's game away to Chelsea is concerned. Jose Mourinho's side will not allow Arsenal's flyers space to attack, and it will pose more of a threat to the back of Arsenal's midfield, which remains their greatest flaw.
It was a comfortable victory, an impressive one even, and a very good night for Welbeck, who is beginning to answer the doubts people have about his finishing. But this is the sort of game that Arsenal make a habit of winning.
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