Arsenal vs. FC Basel: Score, Reaction from 2016 Champions League Match

Theo Walcott bagged a brace as Arsenal maintained their strong start in the UEFA Champions League by beating FC Basel 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Walcott netted twice in the first half as Arsenal ran rampant over the Swiss side for much of the contest, producing some truly exquisite football their opponents couldn't match. If not for an excellent performance from Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik, the scoreline could have been much worse for his club.

After seeing Nacho Monreal's effort palmed away by Vaclik in the opening minutes, the Gunners capped an excellent start with a goal when Walcott decisively met Alexis Sanchez's cross with his head.

Squawka News shared a look at the goal, while WhoScored.com revealed the extent of Walcott's impressive form:

The Swiss side responded well to the setback and showed some attacking threat of their own. Marek Suchy headed wide from a corner, and the Gunners had to be alert to clear a dangerous cross from Luca Zuffi minutes later.

Arsenal ruthlessly killed off the visitors' resurgence, though, when Walcott picked out the bottom corner after playing a lovely one-two with Sanchez.

Football writer Oli Price-Bates hailed the pair:

The Gunners continued to run riot as they moved the ball quickly and with real intensity, and Vaclik was twice forced to deny Sanchez after some wonderful interplay in the final third.

Squawka Football revealed the extent of their dominance at the break:

Arsenal started the second half in much the same way as they ended the first, with Vaclik and a wayward finish from Alex Iwobi being the only reasons they did not make it 3-0 early on.

Birkir Bjarnason fired a pair of warning shots at the hosts—the first a curling effort from outside the area that had to be tipped over by David Ospina, the second a shot over the bar following a corner.

Indeed, the visitors were able to raise their game somewhat to keep the Gunners on their toes, but chances were still few and far between for Basel.

At the other end, Sanchez should have scored from six yards out when Walcott picked him out with a pullback from the byline, but he contrived to miss the target entirely.

Mitchell Gunn/Getty Images

The Gunners forged more chances late on when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hit Basel on the counter-attack in the final minutes, but after initially being rounded by the Englishman, Vaclik was able to recover and deny Arsenal. He did so one last time soon after to block a final attempt by Sanchez to get on the scoresheet.

After claiming an impressive point at Paris Saint-Germain last time out, the Gunners have consolidated their position with three more here and put in another strong performance.

Provided they avoid complacency, they should have little trouble maintaining their excellent start with back-to-back games against Ludogorets Razgrad.

Post-Match Reaction

Per football writer Miguel Delaney, Wenger reflected positively on the performance:

He also discussed Walcott's resurgence in form:

Lastly, according to James Olley of the Evening Standard, the Frenchman was also asked if he was flattered to be linked with the vacant England manager's job. He replied: "Of course, but my priority has always been this club, and until the end of the season I'm here."