• Champions League

Welbeck surprised me, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger admits he has been taken aback by Danny Welbeck's "electric" pace and the quality of his finishing following his £16 million move to Arsenal from Manchester United.

Welbeck, the most expensive striker in Arsenal's history, claimed the first hat-trick of his professional career in Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League win over Galatasaray at the Emirates Stadium.

Danny Welbeck chips home to complete his hat-trick © Getty Images

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Asked what he had learnt about Welbeck since his deadline day move, Wenger said: "I've learnt he's a good finisher. Technically he's very sound. That was a surprise. He's technically clean and that he's a good passer of the ball.

"Honestly, I didn't know he was so quick. I knew he was quick but he can be electric when he starts. He showed that instinct of a goalscorer and was aggressive."

Welbeck is just the sixth English player to score a Champions League hat-trick after Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Mike Newell and Andy Cole.

Only two other players - Thierry Henry and Nicklas Bendtner - have achieved the feat for Arsenal.

Welbeck's team-mate Alex Oxlade Chamberlain also claimed the striker proved he is tailor-made for Arsenal's style of play with his performance against Galatasaray.

"It's nice to see 'Welbz' do so well tonight," Oxlade-Chamberlain told UEFA's official website. "Danny is a great player and he has shown it for many years at Manchester United.

"I knew when he came to this club, the way we like to play football and try and find through balls, with his pace and his intelligent runs, we'll find a lot of him.

"The boys did that tonight and I was glad to help assist him for his last goal. Tonight was all about him, he did really well for us on and off the ball. I try and create goals so I am happy I was able to help him."

Defender Calum Chambers, who also joined Arsenal this summer, was left in awe.

"He's an athlete - he's got pace, power, he's great on the ball," Chambers told Arsenal's website. "He's willing to work hard and you can see that he's a goalscorer.

"He's everything that you can ask for really. He works hard and he's a great influence [on the team]. He's settled in really well. When I first came, I said that the bunch of lads and the staff here were so welcoming. It's hard not to really settle in quickly."

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