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Ox - Tonight was all about Welbeck

Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says Danny Welbeck deserves all the headlines after scoring his first career hat-trick on Wednesday night.

The striker struck twice in the first half before his England team-mate assisted his third after the break in Arsenal’s comprehensive 4-1 victory over Galatasaray.

Welbeck has been criticised for his goal return in the past but Oxlade-Chamberlain believes Wednesday’s performance is a sign of things to come from the 23-year-old.

"I was really happy to assist him for his last goal. I think tonight was all about him. He did really well for us on and off the ball"

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

“It’s nice to see Welbz do so well,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said. “When he came to this club, I knew that the way we play football combined with his pace and his intelligent runs meant we’d find him a lot.

“The boys did that tonight and I was really happy to assist him for his last goal. I think tonight was all about him. He did really well for us on and off the ball."

Welbeck’s performance will attract attention, and rightly so, but Oxlade-Chamberlain did not lose sight of Arsene Wenger’s remarkable achievement as he celebrated 18 years as Arsenal manager.

“It’s really good [to give him that performance],” he added. “We know how much the boss has given this club, numerous players, backroom staff and the fans over the years.

“Since I’ve been at this club he’s been absolutely unbelievable for me and everyone that I’ve played with. It’s really nice to see him get to this milestone.

"Hopefully he’s got many more years to come because we all really love working with him. It was also important for the team to get three points and he’ll be really happy with that.”