CL Matchday 2 - Arsenal 4 - 1 Galatasaray: Wele hat-trick, Szczesny idiocy

One of Arsenal's better performances this season, blighted by a moment of idiocy that prevented us from getting a big scoreline for the first time in ages.

Tactically, Arsenal got it right. Injuries to Arteta and Ramsey, plus Wilshere carrying a knock, meant that Wenger had little choice but to play Ozil in his preferred position as the number ten. Slightly surprisingly, it was Santi who dropped into central midfield alongside Flamini instead of Chamberlain.

This helped us exploit Galatasaray's poor tactics. Prandelli played a 3-5-2 that gifted us space down the sides and in front of a slow and ponderous back three and the pace of Alexis, Ox and Welbeck had a field day. With Santi and Ozil controlling the game from midfield, it seemed only a matter of time before we scored.

That's a considerable improvement over previous performances this season. Our threat level seems to increase when the team is better balanced and certain players are playing in their preferred positions (isn't that a shocker). Although Santi wasn't always playing alongside Flamini, he operated mostly from deep and didn't end up invading someone else's space. This gave us both balance and space for Ozil and Alexis to work their magic while Ox gave us a more direct threat down the right.

Of course, Arsenal won't always play against sides as accommodating as Galatasaray, but then we have struggled to beat poor sides before (just last Saturday, in fact) so it's to our credit that we were clinical enough to kill the game off by half-time and put ourselves in a position where, had there been a full compliment of players on the field, we could've won by five or six goals.

Tonight is very much Welbeck's night. We've already seen what he can offer us in his fledgling Arsenal career but tonight he added that clinical edge. His pace and movement for his first and third goals allowed us to play those cute passes in behind teams that we wouldn't be able to score with Giroud in the side, while his second, as has been pointed out by several people tonight, was reminiscent of a certain Thierry Henry. He's far away from that level, but that ability to run away from defenders and score is an ability we've lacked for a while now.

His supporting cast was also excellent with Alexis being the stand-out. He's a devastating bundle of pace, creativity, flair and energy and tonight he showed that he could certainly make that left hand spot his own. Ox, on the other side, was very lively all game and may delay Walcott's return if he can keep it up. Ozil plays better in the centre, but then I didn't need to tell you that.

All in all, it was a very good night – Szczesny's red card aside – and we're off and running in the group stages. Anderlecht away is next, but we've got the small issue of Chelsea away to deal with first.

The temptation would be to play the same team against Chelsea but I'd worry about Flamini and Santi against Chelsea's pace and power. Wilshere could come back in, but that wouldn't solve the problem. This could mean Ox plays CM, but then we lose some pace on the flanks. So there's some vital decisions to be made ahead of that game. Whatever Wenger decides, I do hope he retains the shape of the side. 3-0 against Villa, now 4-1 against Galatasaray; might be a pattern emerging.

Wouldn't be an Arsenal game without a defensive *bleep* up and an injury

On the other hand that was a great performance from Arsenal. I can't wait to have Walcott back, not that Chambo was bad (he wasn't) but Welbeck-Alexis-Özil-Walcott really excites me. Assuming the 433 experiment is done of course.

Now let's do this in the big match coming up!

That was the best team we could have put on and the players gave a proper performance.

Top stuff from the midfield and great match by the attack too. Defence was rarely troubled but Merte-Kos had it covered. Obviously apart from that Szczesny thing.

Gibbs played as a LW basically lol.

I hope that gave up us some momentum for the Chelsea match.

Welbz is a real specimen.

So great to have a striker capable of making runs in behind the defense.

Wenger: "I knew he was quick but I didn't know he was that quick! He's electric!"

Great win, so happy for everyone. Sanchez, Chambers and Cazorla were terrific.

Denny was unbelievable.

Hope Cazorla gets the credit he deserves for his performance today, he was world class.

This was on Prandelli, he got surprised big time Flooded the midfield thinking we would play 4141 and BAM Alexis- Welbz - Ox were just too much with pace.

Great win I just HOPE Wengers saw the light after this game.

If Arsenal had any ambition then the club would have bought M'Vila and Balotelli and Falcao. #wengerout

In all seriousness. The whole team was good or better today. Even Szczesny's decision for the red card wasn't the problem so much as it was the execution, IMO.

And Welbeck. What a fine performance. I'll admit, I had my doubts before he became a Gunner. I thought he was a good player but never one who could help bring Arsenal over the top. Maybe he still isn't quite going to get there, in an individual sense. But on a night like tonight you can see how invaluable an addition he might prove to be. It's not just the fact that he scored a hat trick. It's how he can be both the runner and the hold-up guy, how he is strong and fast and has great endurance and tracks back. It's how he hooks up with Alexis and the rest of the attack. I think, even if Welbeck never ends up a 30-goal-a-season striker, he may still prove to be a HUGE signing.

today I am happy

Say what you want about Gala's defending, but seeing a striker of ours score a hattrick was unbelievably satisfying.

Happy about the good convincing win.
When was the last time we led 3-0 at HT?

Also happy for Welbeck, signs look promising, but not getting too much ahead of myself.

El Gunner wrote:Happy about the good convincing win.
When was the last time we led 3-0 at HT?

Aston Villa just a fortnight ago? .

El Gunner wrote:
When was the last time we led 3-0 at HT?
.

Chelsea on Sunday.

Raptorgunner wrote:

El Gunner wrote:
When was the last time we led 3-0 at HT?
.

Chelsea on Sunday.

well thats the spirit bruh. rip em!! we all are with you in this.

beatrixasdfghjk. wrote:

El Gunner wrote:Happy about the good convincing win.
When was the last time we led 3-0 at HT?

Aston Villa just a fortnight ago? .

the delirium

What a performance and what a result.

Every player (bar Szczesny) was fantastic.