Arsenal 6 Blackpool 0

By Aashish Siwan

 

 

Goals:  Walcott 12’,39’, 58’ Arshavin 32(p),  Diaby 49’, Chamakh 83’

Hat-trick hero Theo Walcott put in a stellar performance to welcome back the Clock, which was brought back as part of the Arsenalisation project.  Newly promoted Blackpool were duly dispatched in a match where the Gunners never really got out of second gear and if there was an element of fortune (just a little bit) last week at Liverpool, there was always a feeling the Arsenal could have added to todays score line.

Arsenal started with Almunia (c) in goal, Sagna at right-back, Clichy at left-back while Song filled in for suspended Koscielny and partnered Vermaelen at centre back. Diaby was again given the holding midfielder role, while Rosicky started in central midfield accompanied by Wilshere while Arshavin and Walcott supported lone striker Chamakh up front.

Not to be overwhelmed by their visit to the Emirates, Blackpool started on the attack and were the first to fire a shot in anger as David Vaughan’s attempt ended up in Almunia’s hands in the tenth minute. Blackpool were buoyed by their upset victory away at Wigan last week and wanted to make an impression today as well but found themselves behind in as early as the 12^th minute when Arshavin setup Walcott to slot in the opener. Walcott made no mistake at the end of a slick passing move and it was 1-0 to the Arsenal!!           

Blackpool looked to get back into the match as average defending from Arsenal allowed Gary Taylor-Fletcher to get a header in, which he flashed just wide. Walcott looked to seize this opportunity to showcase his talent as his blistering pace had the Blackpool defense on the back foot for much of the half. Walcott shot just wide in the 16^th minute and he turned provider for Chamakh a few seconds later as the Moroccan headed wide. Rosicky, Arshavin and Chamakh all had unsuccessful attempts on goal as Arsenal looked to pile pressure on Blackpool. Chamakh in particular should have done better as he was put clear in the Blackpool box by an industrious Walcott, only to see his effort saved.

Blackpool were once again caught offside as the Arsenal backline held firm before Walcott pulled an effort wide after some nice build up by ever present Rosicky.

Then, for the second week running, Arsenal found themselves a man up as Blackpool defender Ian Evatt was judged to have brought Chamakh down in the box. Ref Michael Jones did not hesitate to flash the red as Evatt was ordered off the field. In all fairness to Blackpool, this incident was another case for a video ref to be introduced to the sport as Evatt had no idea that Chamakh was just coming onto the ball as he went in to clear the danger and the incident itself took place just outside the Blackpool box. Never the less, Blackpool were down a man with 60 minutes still to go as Arshavin stepped up and made no mistake to double Arsenal’s advantage. His celebration however seemed a bit misjudged as he seemed to have forgotten which side of the now Clock End the Gooners were in.             

Arshavin and Chamakh missed efforts as Walcott put Arsenal further ahead with 6 minutes to go to halftime. Wilshere setting up his compatriot to slot in as the match looked well beyond the visitors. Walcott, Chamakh and Rosicky all had unsuccessful attempts on goal as the first 45 ended with the Gunners comfortably ahead.

Barely four minutes into the second half, Diaby was on hand to score from a Sagna cut back after Wilshere saw his attempt saved. Diaby crashing in his first goal since February where he scored the winner against Liverpool.

Song did well to block an effort on goal by Taylor-Fletcher in a rare attack by the visitors. Diaby missed an attempt after being found by Rosicky before Walcott completed his hat-trick from an assist from Diaby. The young Englishman looked delighted with his contribution to Arsenal’s hefty lead.

Chamakh then somehow missed a sitter after getting to the end of Arshavin’s cross as he slid in to fire over the bar with the goal wide open. Chamakh must have had the urge to curse his luck as he wondered what he needed to do to score.

Diaby was then replaced by Cesc Fabregas. What? I thought Cesc had already been signed by Barcelona with all the media hype surrounding the Spaniard leading up to the season opener last week. Oh, that’s right, Barcelona can’t really afford Fabregas right now. Whatever had been said via the media and done in the open public, Fabregas is still with us and is still our captain.

Carlos Vela was also brought on in and he replaced a rather tired looking Arshavin. Vela brought with him his bag full of tricks which was probably the last thing a tiring Blackpool needed to see. Vela, assisted by Clichy, had his attempt blocked with ten minutes to go before Chamakh finally got into the score sheet with a well taken header off a van Persie corner. The Moroccan looked relived to finally score.

Clichy and van Persie had unsuccessful attempts as the match ended with Blackpool well and truly beaten.

Goals can be found via the Arsenalist.

Up next we travel to Ewood park to avenge last season’s loss. Kickoff is at 11:45 pm next Saturday.