LONDON (AP) " Mesut Ozil fired a second-half hat trick as Arsenal took a big step to qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 6-0 rout of Bulgarian champion Ludogorets on Wednesday. Following a lively opening by Ludogorets, Arsenal took control of the match and opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Alexis Sanchez. Put through on goal by a well-timed pass from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez advanced onto the Ludogorets goal before chipping goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov in style. In his program notes, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said Walcott has become "much more resilient" and is playing with "more freedom." Ozil got his second in the 83rd minute with a side-footed finish from eight yards out.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 19, 2016 20:37 UTC