Walcott Decimates Blackpool In Arsenal Rout

Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick today against newly promoted Blackpool as Arsenal ran riot at the Emirates.

Blackpool was on cloud nine after smashing four past Wigan Athletic last weekend, but were quickly brought back down to earth as Arsene Wenger’s men slotted six goals past them.

The home side opened the scoring just after 12 minutes, when Walcott finished off a wonderful move and before Blackpool wasted a golden opportunity to draw level through Gary-Taylor Fletcher.

But Ian Holloway’s men made hard work of the afternoon when Ian Evatt was given his marching orders for taking down Chamakh in the area. Andrei Arshavin slotted home the penalty, and Walcott added Arsenal’s third just before half-time.

Abou Diaby side footed his first of the season just after the break before Walcott bagged his hat-trick. Marouane Chamakh rose highest to head home the sixth and his first official goal for Arsenal.

The score line could have been embarrassing today after the home side wasted numerous chances, but the Gunners have kicked off their campaign well with a win and a draw.

Bright start

Blackpool made a bright start when David Vaughan shot straight at Almunia early on. But Arsenal soon stepped up and a flowing move involving new boy Chamakh soon saw the Gunners in front.

Arshavin found the former Bordeaux striker, who laid off for Rosicky. He quickly found Arshavin, and with the Blackpool defence turned inside out, the Russian playmaker saw Walcott free on the right. One pass to the Englishman and the net rippled as Walcott slotted home in front of 60,000 fans.

Blackpool almost responded when Stephen Crainey crossed in from the right, but Gary-Fletcher headed wide when Almunia seemed beaten.

Penalty                                                                                    

Arsenal stepped up through the gears but Arshavin, Chamakh and Walcott all saw their chances go wide. Rosicky popped into the hole and tried to feed the ball through to Chamakh. The striker was brought down in the box by Evatt, resulting in a straight red card from referee Mike Jones. And to make matters worse for Ian Holloway’s men, a penalty to Arsenal. Arshavin stepped up and drove the ball into the corner of the goal.

Holloway brought on defender Keinan for a midfielder to try and suppress Arsenal, but that move failed after Walcott caused havoc again. The Englishman turned the Keinan inside out before drilling home the third for the Gunners.

Blackpool keeper Matthew Gilks saved brilliantly from Chamakh, but soon after the break he was beaten again. Diaby side footed home a cross from Bacary Sagna.

Electric Walcott

Arsenal was in total control, and the electrifying Walcott was about to turn on the show once again. Diaby and Rosicky combined well before feeding Walcott, who came inside from the right and curled home his hat-trick. The Emirates erupted in delight for Walcott.

World Cup finalists Van Persie and Fabregas were given a run around, much to the delight of the home fans. But the game faded in the end as Arsenal slowed the tempo down. However, a late corner from Van Persie saw Chamakh open his Arsenal account when he headed the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

The Moroccan was relieved after making amends for a sitter earlier in the match. Blackpool tried and tried, but nothing could stop Arsenal today; even Holloway admitted the Walcott was “unplayable today”.

Man of the match: Theo Walcott

What next for Arsenal: Away trip to Blackburn. 1-3.