MX23RW : Friday, January 31 09:19:22| >> :60:2716:2716:
[monks data]
Arsenal logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 1, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Galatasaray

4-1

Welbeck (22', 30', 52'), Sanchez (41')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Yilmaz (63' pen.)

Match Analysis: Arsenal 4-1 Galatasaray

Sports Mole takes a closer look at Arsenal's comfortable 4-1 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Arsenal returned to top form in the Champions League with a 4-1 victory over Group B rivals Galatasaray on Wednesday night.

The Gunners were four goals ahead before the hour mark thanks to a Danny Welbeck hat-trick and a strike from Alexis Sanchez at the Emirates Stadium.

Galatasaray pulled a goal back with a penalty from Burak Yilmaz, who was brought down by a challenge which saw Wojciech Szczesny sent off.

Below, Sports Mole takes a look at the key talking points from the game.

Match statistics

Arsenal
Shots: 12
On target: 6
Possession: 51%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 13

Galatasaray
Shots: 18
On target: 7
Possession: 49%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 10

Was the result fair?

Yes, without a doubt. The statistics are a little bit deceiving, but Galatasaray didn't really have a sniff until Szczesny was dismissed. Arsenal were at their best as they took full advantage of a dreadful defensive display from the visitors, and always looked capable of adding to their four goals.

Arsenal's performance

Arsene Wenger will be absolutely delighted with his team's display. The Gunners desperately needed to win following the defeat to Borussia Dortmund a fortnight ago, and they responded superbly. Despite missing a number of key players, they moved the ball around in trademark fashion and dominated in midfield. Welbeck led the line superbly, and it was how he linked with Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla which will give Wenger the most pleasure.

Galatasaray's performance

Galatasaray have always struggled in England, but this may have been one of their worst nights in the country. Cesare Prandelli's decision to stick with a 3-5-2 formation was punished as the defence struggled to get close to Arsenal's roaming attacker. They improved slightly in the second half, but their sluggish display in the first half was too poor to come back from.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Danny Welbeck: Surprisingly, this was a difficult decision tonight. Sanchez stood out for long periods of the game, but the honour has to go to Welbeck, who was a constant threat with his excellent movement. Three finishes of the highest quality will give him confidence.

Biggest gaffe

Szczesny has always had a few critics watching his every move, and they will be louder than ever tonight. It was an awful challenge which led to his dismissal as he brought down Yilmaz after reacting poorly to a through-ball.

Referee performance

Gianluca Rocchi got most things right this evening, but he should have sent off Felipe Melo for a dangerous tackle on Sanchez in the first half.

What next?

Arsenal: The Gunners are back in action against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Galatasaray: Prandelli will be hopeful of an immediate response when his side visit Kayseri Erciyesspor on Saturday.

ID:180174: cacheID:180174:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5188:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Danny Welbeck of Arsenal celebrates with team-mates Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Arsenal FC and Galatasaray AS at Emirates Stadium on October 1, 2014
Read Next:
Ten-man Arsenal thrash Galatasaray
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool870121
QInter Milan861119
QBarcelona861119
QArsenal861119
QAtletico860218
QB. Leverkusen851216
QAston Villa851216
QLille851216
9Real Madrid850315
10AC Milan850315
11Atalanta843115
12Dortmund850315
13Bayern850315
14PSV842214
15Benfica841313
16Feyenoord841313
17PSG841313
18Monaco841313
19Brest841313
20Juventus833212
21Celtic833212
22Man City832311
23Sporting Lisbon832311
24Brugge832311
25Dinamo Zagreb832311
26Stuttgart831410
27Shakhtar82157
28Bologna81346
29Red Star82066
30Sturm Graz82066
31Sparta Prague81164
32RB Leipzig81073
33Girona81073
34Salzburg81073
35Slovan Bratislava80080
36Young Boys80080


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!