Danny Welbeck plundered a hat trick as Arsenal got their Champions League campaign up and running with a 4-1 victory over Galatasaray at the Emirates Stadium, where play was halted in the first half after the Turkish away supporters threw flares onto the pitch.
- Brewin: Three Points on Arsenal-Galatasaray
- Mangan: Arsenal player ratings
- Welbeck pleased to repay Wenger's faith
- Galatasaray fans' flares disrupt action
With England boss Roy Hodgson watching from the stands, Welbeck -- the 16 million-pound deadline day signing from Manchester United -- produced a clinical display to put the Gunners back on course for qualification from Group D and mark manager Arsene Wenger's 18th anniversary in style.
However, governing body UEFA are likely to launch an investigation into the unsavoury scenes 20 minutes into the match which saw play halted after several flares were jettisoned from the away end, with Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and captain Wesley Sneijder helping restore calm as riot police surrounded the perimeter fences.
After a positive start and then surviving a couple of dangerous counter-attacks, Arsenal swept into the lead on 22 minutes when Welbeck converted a inch-perfect pass from Alexis Sanchez.
Welbeck doubled Arsenal's lead on the half hour with another neat finish, this time latching onto a back header before running clear to beat the keeper.
Galatasaray fans then let off several flares and threw them onto the pitch which saw the game halted for several minutes, and could lead to disciplinary action from UEFA once all of the reports are gathered.
Sanchez -- who had earlier been felled by a two-footed lunge from defender Felipe Melo, which was only punished by a yellow card -- slid home a third goal just before the break.
Welbeck completed his hat-trick on 52 minutes, before Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny pole axed Burak Yilmaz, who converted the resulting penalty.
Colombia international David Ospina made a couple of smart saves during the closing stages, and Arsenal will now head to Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday full of confidence.