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Champions League: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confident Danny Welbeck's finishing will only get better

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Arsene Wenger reflects on a great team performance against Galatasaray but was left to rue a lapse of concentration

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident striker Danny Welbeck will continue to improve his finishing after his hat-trick against Galatasaray in the Champions League.

The former Manchester United forward netted his first career treble to help the Gunners to a comfortable 4-1 win on the Frenchman’s 18th anniversary in charge of the club.

Wenger was delighted with the 23-year-old’s performance and he believes Welbeck will continue to improve his composure in front of goal as he gains confidence from increased time on the pitch.

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Watch Welbeck's hat-trick goal

“He (Welbeck) had a great performance,” Wenger said. “I think he added that instinct of a goal scorer.

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“He was more aggressive and made great runs and he finished well the work of the team.

“He has such good pace that it gives him time to finish calmly and once players understand that their finishing improves a lot.

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"It always helps to know that you have a chance to play in the next game. That gives you confidence."

Wenger admitted he has been pleasantly surprised by some aspects of Welbeck’s game since he arrived at Arsenal.

"What is good for me is that his team play is good as well,” he said. “His team work and work rate are good. It's not just his finishing because he wants to help the team.

"I believe that, technically, he's very sound. I was a surprised that he's technically clean and that he's a good passer of the ball.

"And I didn't know he was so quick. Honestly, I knew he was quick but he can be electric when he starts - he has great pace."

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Merson hails Welbeck display

The result helps Arsenal keep pace with Group D leaders Borussia Dortmund, who they lost convincingly to in their opening fixture.

Welbeck was delighted with how the team bounced back and revealed he is determined to repay Wenger for handing him the opportunity to show what he can do up front.

“I am obviously delighted to get to get the goals but the most important was we got our three points on the board,” he said. “We needed that after the first game in the group.

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Merson hails Welbeck display

“This was my first career hat-trick. I am playing up front and trying to score goals and getting goal-scoring opportunities and tonight it paid off as I got the three goals.

“He (Wenger) has shown a lot of faith in me and I am delighted to be able to pay him back tonight.

“He has given me the chance to play up front in my preferred position and I am going to do everything I can to make sure he is happy.”

And full-back Kieran Gibbs said Arsenal may have unleashed the beast in Welbeck.

"He was an animal tonight," said Gibbs.

"I think he has a bit of everything. He's quick, he's strong, he holds up the ball and he works hard."

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