Lucas Perez receives high praise from Wenger after hat-trick

Arsenal manger Arsene Wenger applauded Lucas Perez after the striker netted his first Gunners hat-trick.

The 28-year-old has only completed 87 minutes of Premier League football was given an opportunity to impress his new manager.

And he did. Perez scored three times as Arsenal hammered Basel 4-1 in Switzerland to finish top of Group A.

Wenger had high praise for his £17m summer signing.

Speaking to reporters after the game, the Frenchman said: “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.”

Arsenal topped the group after a shock result saw Paris Saint-Germain held at home to draw 2-2 with Ludogorets. Wenger said his side will feel more confident going into the next round.

“We can still have difficult draw,” added Wenger. “But there’s less guilt when you finish first in the group because you feel you have done your job and you play the second leg of the first knockout tie at home.

With Alexis Sanchez in fine form, Perez’s opportunities may still come few and far between. However, there is now added excitement over the striker’s future appearances.