Arsene Wenger has hailed Lucas Perez after his hat-trick helped Arsenal on their way to a 4-1 win over Basel in Switzerland which, combined with Ludogorets Razgrad's surprise 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, booked the Gunners top spot in their Champions League group.
The visitors needed only eight minutes to take the lead at St. Jakob-Park as Perez scored. The Spaniard took advantage of good work from Alexis Sanchez and Kieran Gibbs, which left him with a comfortable finish and he tapped the ball into the back of the net.
In the 16th minute it was 2-0, Perez again the scorer as he benefited from a shot from Gibbs which could only be turned out and into his path, giving him another simple finish.
Arsenal were in total control and within two minutes of the start of the second half completely killed off any hopes Basel had of a comeback as Perez grabbed his hat-trick.
Gibbs turned provider yet again and his ball over the top was hammered hard and low by Perez, with it proving too good for Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.
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There was ample time for Arsenal to strike again and they did so in the 53rd minute, carving Basel open through a good move involving Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, which set up Alex Iwobi – he made no mistake and it was 4-0.
Sanchez hit the woodwork soon after, but Basel pulled one back in the 78th minute through Seydou Doumbia, as he got the better of Rob Holding and finished well past David Ospina.
It ended 4-1 to the Gunners and Wenger is delighted his side have reached the last 16 as group winners.
"I thought Ludugorets were a good side – they made a great result that helps us top the group, which was what we wanted", he was quoted as saying by the BBC.
"We did the job in a convincing way, we were mobile and overall had a committed performance."
Asked about finishing top providing a better draw for the last 16, Wenger replied: "It is difficult to know, but you feel a bit less guilty if you have a bad draw if first than second – we have done our job and let's see what happens."
And the Frenchman was keen to salute Perez, who he termed a "goalscorer".
"I think Perez took advantage of the fact we created good chances – he is a goalscorer you know, he has shown tonight he has a good smell for the goal."
