Arsene Wenger: This is how it feels to finish top of a Champions League group

ARSENE WENGER last night celebrated not feeling guilty for once as Arsenal secured top spot in Group A.

In five out of the previous six seasons – when they have exited the Champions League in the first knockout stage – his men have finished second.

But this superb win in Basel, thanks to a hat-trick from £17m Lucas Perez and a goal from Alex Iwobi, coupled with Paris St-Germain’s shock home draw with Ludogorets, saw boss Wenger’s men through as winners.

It also means they avoid mighty Barcelona, although they could still land the likes of Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in Monday’s draw.

“It is difficult to know but you feel a bit less guilty if you have a bad draw if you finish first rather than second,” said the Frenchman.

“You feel you’ve done the job and can play the second leg at home. So we have achieved that. But the draw is not much different, certainly at the moment.

“I cannot complain tonight. I’ve had bad nights in football and tonight was a good night.

“Overall we came here wanting to do the job, wanting to play well.

“On top of that we were lucky with the result in Paris Saint-Germain, so it was a positive night.”

Few thought Arsenal could topple PSG but Wenger went for a bold selection, fielding Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil and also picking Spanish striker Perez.

“We were quite mobile and technically very agile as well, and quick,” he added.

“Overall the speed of our start surprised Basel. It was a convincing performance tonight. Since the start of the season our squad system has worked well.

“Perez’s first two looked easy goals, created by the team to make, what you call in England, tap-ins. But he’s there, you have to be there.

“The third was a real striker’s goal. He scored over 20 goals in Spain last year, and showed tonight why.

“He has a good eye and makes good movement in the box, and that’s why he scores.”