Controversial Pen ruins Seasiders visit to The Emirates
Last updated : 22 August 2010 By INOIT
Theo Walcott netted a hat-trick as Barclays Premier League new boys Blackpool on their first visit to the impressive Emirates Stadium were brought back down to earth with a 6-0 defeat at Arsenal.
The 21-year-old swept the Gunners into an 11th-minute lead before Blackpool began to play themselves back into the game and almost equalised after a fine cross was headed agonisingly wide by Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
Just as Pool appeared to have a foothold in the game Ian Evatt was controversially sent off for a foul on Marouane Chamakh, which looked just outside the box.
Andrey Arshavin then made it 2-0 from the penalty spot slotting home just wide of a despairing dive from keeper Gilks.
The Seasiders were largely spectators as Walcott added a third before the break, with Abou Diaby slotting home an excellent 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.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was full of admiration for Arsenal following his side's 6-0 defeat.Theo Walcott netted a hat-trick and Andrey Arshavin, Abou Diaby and Marouane Chamakh were also on target while Ian Evatt was sent off for the visitors."
If that is how my team plays one day, I will be absolutely delighted, the pace and movement was terrific, it was a joy to watch," Holloway said."Walcott was unplayable. I can only stand there and admire that."It was an absolute education, a masterclass - but we have to learn quickly."
