Report: Arsenal vs Ludogorets

Arsenal took a step closer to the Champions League knockout stage after thumping Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad 6-0 with Mesut Ozil netting his first ever hat-trick of his professional career.

Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott put up a dominant display as they both hit the bull’s-eye in the first-half before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added a third, and Ozil made sure he wasn’t left out of the party when he netted three to help Arsenal secure their best start to a group stage since 2009.

Arsenal started well and were rewarded when Oxlade-Chamberlin released Alexis Sanchez who still had the job of cutting Cosmin Moti before scoring a brilliant chip over Vladislav Stoyanov who had come off his line.

Ludogorets came up with a chance of their own as they went close through Wanderson, his shot went pass Ospina, but his effort hit the post and wide.

Just as the host began to threaten, Arsenal hit them for two with another fine strike from Walcott. The forward collected Gibbs cross with an excellent first touch before smashing a fierce shot past Stoyanov from 20 yards out.

Arsenal extended their advantage a minute in the second half. Jose Luis Palomino was unable to clear Gibbs’ low cross which was deflected into the path of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who side footed home from 12 yards out to beat Stoyanov in goal.

Mesut Ozil added a fourth with half hour to go, as a brilliant counter-attack saw Santi Cazorla release the German with a beautiful drop ball which Ozil superbly collected before finishing low into the net.

The former Real Madrid playmaker grabbed his second and Arsenal’s fifth in the last 10 minutes, placing the ball into the net following a cross from substitute Lucas Perez’s who came on for Walcott.

Ozil still had time to grab his hat-trick as he smashed home a volley from inside the area to seal the win.

Cazorla came off the pitch in what appeared after getting injured to be replaced by Elneny.