Arsenal news: Lucas Perez hat-trick sends side through as Champions League group leaders

Daily Mail | December 6, 2016

Like the well-oiled cogs in a luxurious Swiss watch, Arsenal’s luck may finally be turning.

No-one thought this was possible, but Arsenal - somehow - have finished top of their Champions League group here in Switzerland.

How? Well, they comprehensively completed their job in Basle as Lucas Perez scored a hat-trick to secure a comfortable win in their final Group A game.

Arsenal striker Lucas Perez is given a celebratory hug from fellow summer signing Granit Xhaka after scoring his first goal

The 28-year-old Arsenal man slots the ball into an empty net after Basle's defence failed to clear the ball away from their goal

Mesut Ozil (right) rushes to celebrate with Perez following the Spaniard's second goal of the night in Switzerland

Kieran Gibbs (centre, pictured with two-goal hero Perez) was given a rare start for Arsenal against Basle

But the real miracle came 354 miles away in France as Ludogorets grabbed a gusty 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain to see the Gunners leapfrog the French champions into top spot.