By Rob Deyzel
It looks as if one of my earlier predictions for the season has been already been proven wrong! A fantastic display by former Southampton winger Theo Walcott (photo) helped the Gunners to a 6-0 thrashing of premiership new boys Blackpool.
The game itself was not as one sided as the scoreline suggests, yet arsenal were far superior to Blackpool. Walcott opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 11th minute with a nice finish, before Arshavin made it 2-0 from the penalty spot following Ian Evatt sending off for the foul on new signing Chamakh. The game was as good as over, but the fighting spirit of Blackpool was still prevailing giving something for the mass gathering of orange fans who had made the long journey from the north of England to north London. Walcott then got his second of the match and the third for Arsenal before the break. Arsenal came out for the second half with no sympathy for ten man Blackpool and continued there invasion of there opponents penalty area. Diaby shortly made it 4-0 with a fine slotted finish into the corner of the net. Then just before the hour mark Walcott danced through the Blackpool defense and completed his hatrick. Shortly after Wenger brought off the young winger to a standing ovation from the Emirates crowd having completed his afternoons work. This left just enough time for Blackpool to continue to plug away unsuccessfully, and allow Chamakh to get his first premier league goal with a fine header form Van Persies corner kick.
Overall it was fine, dare I say champion like performance from Arsenal. Walcott surprised me to be honest. It was a great display by the winger who has underperformed for the Gunners for a long time. Arsenal looked good and in good form. I know we are only 2 games into the season, so lets see if Arsenal can keep it up. Blackpool were never going to be easy opposition no matter what people say. A fine win against Wigan the week before is proof of that, especially when you remember Wigan defeated the gunners last season. Lets see if Arsenal can keep it up. Also Arsenal fans keep your eyes peeled in anticipation for the signing finally of a good goalkeeper in Shay Given. Then maybe we can really say Arsenal are championship material. As long as Fabregas stays!
