Written by George Sezer Sunday, 22 August 2010 00:55

GunnerTalk Blog

Arsenal 6 - Blackpool 0

By George Sezer

The margin of this victory was due to the combination of how Blackpool chose to play and Walcott having one of those games that it was almost impossible to play against him. He was electric, not only for the hat trick he scored but his general play was also top class. When you have Rocisky playing something like back to his best and pulling the strings in that forward midfield role and with Chamakh linking up the play so nicely, this score line wasn’t a surprise at all.

From the start our winger looked like he was in the mood to do some collateral damage. It was the Walcott of what we’d hoped to see last season but for the injuries.....

It took him 12 minutes to score his and Arsenal’s first goal; Arshavin finding Rosicky at the edge of the box after a neat 1-2 with Chamakh on the right, the Czech international returning the ball to him with a lovely use of his outside of his foot before the little Russian sliding a perfect pass to Walcott breaking from the right was poetry in motion. Walcott’s well placed shot to the bottom corner of the net was the reward the move had deserved.

After Blackpool’s only mention worthy chance when Fletcher rose to head a cross from our right wide, Arsenal took control of the game. With Wilshere dropping back to central midfield spraying passes around, Arshavin looking interested again chances started coming thick and fast.

A great cross field  ball by Vermaelen found Walcott on the right, who headed the ball inside to Rosicky for a sublime 1-2, he broke with pace before producing a great cross for Arshavin whose shot was saved well by their keeper.

Another great turn by the young winger and a through ball from inside right position released Chamakh inside the opposing box, his first touch was top quality but he pulled his shot wide.

Arsenal  were playing great one touch football and it was only matter of time before we scored the second goal; the little Mozart made sure that we didn’t have to wait long for it. He pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the field and played a delightful through ball to Chamakh, only for him to be impeded on the line of their 18 yard box by their last defender who was red carded for the offence. Arshavin converted the penalty to make it 2-0 just after half an hour mark.

After creating another great opening for Chamakh, Walcott scored his second goal of the night with a smart turn and shot inside the box after receiving a clever ball from Wilshere in the 39^th minute.

There was still time before the break for Blackpool’s goalie to make a good save from Chamakh yet again when Clichy’s cross was met brilliantly at the near post by the centre forward.

Our 4^th goal came early in the second half when Diaby half volleyed a great Sagna cross.

Rosicky kept running things in the second half, Wilshere work rate and fighting sprit along with passing range was impressive and Walcott carried on terrorising their left hand side by completing his hat trick in the 58^th minute with a great off the ball run into the box for Sagna to find him and planting the ball into the bottom corner after delicious couple touches.

He was substituted for Carlos Vela in the 66^th minute for a well deserved rest and standing ovation but not before watching Chamakh wasting a great chance by blazing his shot over the bar from close range from a great cross by Arshavin who was released by yet another brilliant Rocisky through ball.

I was very pleased to see Arsene Wenger not moving the Czech maestro from his position when Fabregas and Van Persie were introduced to the game replacing Arshavin and Diaby. For me he was man of the match along with Walcott.  

The only thing missing from the game was a Chamakh’s first Premiership goal that his performance deserved. He obliged in the 88^th minute with a powerful header from RVP’s corner.   Arsenal 6 – Blackpool 0