Arsenal’s Spanish striker Lucas Perez seized his chance to shine with a Champions League treble as they outclassed Basel 4-1 to step the Group A top spot from Paris St. German on Tuesday.
Arsenal with this win enter the last 16 as group winners for the first time since 2011 and at least know they cannot face favorites Barcelona who won their group in the first knockout round. Lucas who has joined Arsenal from Deportivo La Coruna for about 17 million pounds ($21.55 million) in August, struck twice from close range inside 16 minutes. And adding one more just after two minutes he became the sixth Arsenal player to score a hat trick in the competition. Arsenal topped the group with 14 points because PSG, on 12, were surprisingly held 2-2 at home by Bulgarians Ludogorets who qualify for the Europa League last 32 at the expense of Basel.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said, “I thought Ludogorets were a good side — they made a great result that helps us top the group, which was what we wanted,” “We did the job in a convincing way; we were mobile and overall had a committed performance.”I think (Lucas) Perez took advantage of the fact we created good chances – he is a goal scorer you know, he has shown tonight he has a good smell for the goal.”
Lucas’s only goals since joining Arsenal were a brace in a League Cup win over Nottingham Forest in September, since when he has rarely featured because of an ankle injury.
It did not take him long to double that tally though as Arsenal tore into their hosts.
Lucas opened the scoring after eight minutes when Sanchez’s chipped pass found Kieran Gibbs and his low cross was missed by Eder Balanta, giving the Spaniard the easiest of tap-ins. Now all the eyes will be on Arsenal as they hope to win their next match and top the group and not a tie with Bayern Munich while many others will wish for a draw and Bayern Munich which can only finish as runners-up in Group D.
