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Theo Walcott netted a hat-trick for the Gunners as Blackpool were swept aside at the Emirates
Ian Holloway spoke pre-match about the need to ensure Blackpool’s dream afternoon did not turn into a nightmare in North London, but his players failed to heed the warning as they returned to the changing room at half time 3-0 down, and a man down. Ian Evatt saw red for the visitors and Walcott took full advantage to bag himself a hat-trick.
It was Walcott who opened the scoring when he completed a flowing Arsenal move on 12 minutes, and then Blackpool were dealt the piece of hard luck they could ill afford, with Evatt sent off for a professional foul on Marouane Chamakh. Evatt’s challenge appeared to come outside the box, but Andrei Arshavin cared little as he doubled his side’s lead from 12 yards.
Walcott then doubled his personal tally with the help of some poor goalkeeping, and there was more misery for Blackpool after the break as Abou Diaby expertly turned home Bacary Sagna’s cross, before Walcott completed his hat-trick with yet another cool finish after he meandered his way into the area.
With the match wrapped up, Arsene Wenger was able to give half-hour appearances to Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, and Chamakh rounded off the perfect afternoon late on by opening his Emirates account after he had earlier missed an open goal.
Tottenham were also celebrating on Saturday as their depleted squad secured a 2-1 triumph at Stoke thanks to the brilliance of Gareth Bale.
I love reading tabloid newspapers. The Sun, Daily Mirror and even the Daily Mail, give me much entertainment during the transfer window. So here is a roundup of today’s silly season soccer sensations from The Sun and others.
