Arsenal’s big breakthrough?

A convincing win over Basel, coupled with Paris Saint-Germain’s draw at home to Ludogorets, means Arsenal have won their Champions League Group A.

A hat-trick from Lucas Perez and Alex Iwobi finish secured victory in Switzerland and Arsenal can now look to Monday’s round-of-16 draw knowing they have done all they can to boost their knockout-phase chances.

Here, we take a look at the key talking points from Arsenal’s 4-1 win at Basel…

Arsenal finally top their group

For the first time since 2011, Arsenal have won their Champions League group. Whether it will lead to them bucking their unhappy trend of losing in the last 16 in each of the past six seasons remains to be seen, but the feat should be a welcome fillip for Arsene Wenger’s men.

After all, this is the first time they have gone unbeaten in the group phase in 11 years, while they did so by battling to a draw in Paris and hammering a Basel team which had only lost two of their previous 11 Champions League games with English teams along the way.

Bayern Munich, Benfica or Bayer Leverkusen could be waiting in the next round as confirmed second-place finishers in their respective pools, but Arsenal have guaranteed the second leg of their last-16 knockout tie will be at the Emirates Stadium. Now all they can do is tune in to Monday’s draw and keep their fingers crossed.

Lucas Perez the hat-trick hero

Lucas Perez has found first-team opportunities at Arsenal limited since his arrival from Deportivo at the end of the summer transfer …

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