Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger described Danny Welbeck as “electric” after the striker scored his first professional hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League win over Galatasaray.
The England international, 23, netted twice in the first half at the Emirates before getting a third after the break.
Welbeck has now scored four goals in three games, and Wenger said: “I knew he was quick but he’s electric.
“Hopefully that hat-trick will help him gain confidence.”
Welbeck played as the main striker against Galatasaray, with Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain behind him.
The quartet combined to great effect, with Welbeck twice making intelligent runs to finish off passes from Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
He also used his pace and power to score Arsenal’s second after a poor header by Galatasaray’s Aurelien Chedjou.
Welbeck scored 10 goals last season for United, but often played in a wider position.
He has been employed as a central striker since joining Arsenal on transfer deadline day and, although Wenger believes Welbeck is benefitting from a run in his favoured position, he feels his experience of playing on the wing has helped develop him as a team player.
“It always helps to know that you have a good chance to play in the next game,” added Wenger, 64.
“What’s good for me is that his link play is good as well. His teamwork and his work rate is at the level of the team.
“His attitude is very positive – he’s a team player, not just a finisher. He has learned that on the flank and he wants to help the team.”
The one negative for Arsenal on Wednesday was the dismissal of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was sent off for a foul on Burak Yilmaz with the Gunners 4-0 ahead.
Substitute goalkeeper David Ospina replaced Szczesny, but could not keep out Yilmaz’s penalty.
“Szczesny tried to come out and was a fraction late so he conceded the penalty. It can happen,” said Wenger.
“The fact is that we’re more guilty of losing the ball in our own half – it can be dangerous and we didn’t defend too well on that front.”
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