Remembering the 5 Arsenal Players Who Have Scored a Hat-Trick in a Champions League Fixture

Remembering the 5 Arsenal Players Who Have Scored a Hat-Trick in a Champions League Fixture

On Tuesday evening Arsenal thrilled the Emirates Stadium with a scintillating 6-0 thumping of fellow Group A Champions League opponents Ludogorets.

During this game, Gunners midfielder Mesut Ozil joined an elite group of Arsenal players who have managed to score three goals in one game during a modern-day European fixture after his sublime hat-trick in north London.

From the club's long-standing top goalscorer to a player associated with mockery and average performances for Arsenal, the bunch are extremely varied in terms of status and talent.

Here are the five...

1. Mesut Ozil vs Ludogorets (6-0, 2016)

Despite his glittering career both domestically and for his country, it was always a shock that Mesut Ozil had never scored a career hat trick, so when he did it was a special occasion for both the player and the fans.

After already chipping in with an assist early on in the game, the German went on to net three goals in just over half an hour against Bulgarian side Ludogorets at the Emirates Stadium.

With the last two coming within four minutes of each other, Ozil sent the Gunners to the top of their Champions League group on goal difference following a solid victory.

2. Thierry Henry vs AS Roma (3-1, 2002)

Arsenal's all time leading goalscorer had pretty much mastered the art of hat-tricks in the Premier League, however Thierry Henry could only muster the one in Europe, however it was done in style, as the Frenchman netted all three goals in an entertaining 3-1 victory.

The Olympic Stadium was buzzing after the home side took the lead early on, but Henry's equaliser on the stroke of half time set the tone, as he hit again in the 70th minute before finishing in style with a beauty of a free kick.

Henry had gotten the Gunners off to the perfect start in their Champions League group in a tough away fixture.

3. Nicklas Bendtner vs FC Porto (5-0, 2009)

The man, myth and legend that is Nicklas Bendtner. He has his critics, but at this point in time in his Arsenal career there were big things expected of the young Danish striker, and he certainly delivered on this occasion.

At a packed out Emirates Stadium, Arsenal produced one of their best ever European performances with a thumping victory over the Portuguese champions FC Porto which sent them into the quarter finals.

Bendtner finished off his hat trick in style with a coolly slotted penalty, with the Gunners faithful chanting his name for perhaps the only time in his ill-fated stint at the club.

4. Danny Welbeck vs Galatasary (4-1, 2014)

When fit with Arsenal, Danny Welbeck showed exactly what he could do on the pitch, and never more so than against Galatasaray, where the Englishman scored twice in the first half, before managing his third mid-way in the second with a delightful chip.

The papers even dared suggest that the former Manchester United striker had looked and played like Thierry Henry. Perhaps it was too soon, but he certainly showed that he could score goals in Europe.

In this game, he levelled Dennis Bergkamp's record of seven Champions League goals, looked set to add to that had his injuries not got the better of him again that season.

5. Olivier Giroud vs Olympiakos (3-0, 2015)

It was a Hollywood style ending. Arsenal needed to beat Olympiakos by two goals in order to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition in second place in the group, and up stepped the Frenchman to deliver for the Gunners.

After a nervy start to the game, Giroud got that all important first goal just before the half-hour mark, before putting in a brilliant second half performance to help his side complete the great escape, scoring just after half time, and then calmly slotting home from the penalty spot in the 67th minute.

Despite a poor showing in the group stages, Giroud dug deep for his side and burdened the responsibility in the best way possible.