England forward Theo Walcott netted a hat-trick as Premier League
new boys Blackpool were brought back down to earth with a 6-0 thrashing
at Arsenal.
The 21-year-old was a controversial omission from Fabio Capello's
ill-fated World Cup squad, only to be welcomed back into the England
fold following the dismal display in South Africa.
It may just have proved to be a decision which brings the best
out of Walcott this season as the former Southampton trainee tore
the Seasiders apart from kick-off, sweeping the Gunners into an
11th-minute lead.
Andrey Arshavin made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after defender
Ian Evatt had been sent off for a foul on Marouane Chamakh, which
looked just outside the box.
Walcott added a third before the break, with Abou Diaby slotting
home number four at the start of the second half and the England
man - whose only international goals came with a famous hat-trick
in Croatia during September 2008 - then securing the match ball
with another well-taken finish.
World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas and runner-up Robin van Persie came
off the bench for the last half-hour as the Gunners, who snatched
a late 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend, moved to the top of the
table, if only for a few hours, with Chamakh heading in a sixth
goal in the 83rd minute.
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