Arsenal 6-0 Blackpool

Theo Walcott registered the first hat-trick of his club career as Arsenal brought Blackpool back down to earth with a resounding win at the Emirates.

Newly-promoted Blackpool, who won 4-0 at Wigan on the opening day, started well but Walcott slotted Arsenal ahead.

Ian Evatt was sent off for a foul that appeared to be outside the area, Andrey Arshavin scoring the penalty, before Walcott drilled a third on 39 minutes.

Abou Diaby clipped home, Walcott curled in and Marouane Chamakh headed a sixth.

While they squandered numerous chances to extend their advantage, the Gunners now have their first victory of the season and boss Arsene Wenger will surely be delighted with his side's performance.

Opposite number Ian Holloway insisted before the match that his side would "have a go" and admitted they "might end up losing by the most embarrassing scoreline even in the Premier League".

Such a scenario did not quite materialise for the Seasiders - but after Evatt's dismissal there was a feeling that it could have gone that way.

Blackpool did enjoy plenty of early possession and carved out the first meaningful attempt on goal when David Vaughan shot powerfully at Manuel Almunia.

But Arsenal soon settled into a tidy rhythm and opened the scoring through Walcott's side-footed finish on 12 minutes after a superb passing move between Arshavin, Chamakh and Tomas Rosicky.

Blackpool would have levelled almost immediately had Gary Taylor-Fletcher not headed wide from Stephen Crainey's cross - and they were made to pay, albeit in acrimonious circumstances.

Arshavin, Chamakh and Walcott all went close before Rosicky put Chamakh through on goal and the Moroccan was brought down by last-man Evatt.

Referee Mike Jones gave the defender his marching orders and pointed straight to the spot, but replays suggested the challenge was made outside the box.

Arshavin beat Matthew Gilks low to the goalkeeper's left and, with Blackpool down to 10 men and clearly rattled by the nature of Arsenal's second, the Gunners were able to lay siege to Blackpool's goal.

Gilks saved with his feet to deny Chamakh from Walcott's through-ball before the England winger collected Jack Wilshere's pass, spun debutant Dekel Keinan and drilled home to double his account before half-time.

Arsenal picked up where they left off after the restart.

Blackpool's initial 4-3-3 formation had now morphed into a understandably defensive 4-3-1, yet nothing Holloway ordered could stem the waves of attack.

A poor challenge by Crainey allowed Bacary Sagna to break clear on the right and his cross was turned into the bottom corner by Diaby, who then released Walcott to get his third with a fine left-footed strike.

The Blackpool fans continued to serenade their tiring players and the home crowd responded when World Cup finalists Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were introduced from the substitutes bench.

Their arrivals at 5-0 illustrated the gulf in class between the two sides and, while Fabregas pulled the strings alongside the hugely impressive Wilshere in midfield, Van Persie caused Blackpool no shortage of problems up front.

Although the match began to resemble a training session late on, there was still time for Chamakh to nod in Van Persie's corner for his first Arsenal goal and Blackpool substitute Brett Ormerod fire just over the bar.

If nothing else, the visitors deserved a consolation strike for the efforts of their players and supporters. But it was not to be as Arsenal cruised over the line.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"What was pleasing today with Theo was that he made right decision in final third and was calm in front of goal. He could finish but also give final balls. That shows he improves."

"I thought the Evatt challenge was outside the box but it was difficult to see from the bench and I will have to look at it again. The decision is harsh but referee has no choice once gives penalty for denying a goalscoring chance."

"We have nothing to announce today or tomorrow (on new signings) but we'll see if we can make another defensive addition next week. We're not close to doing anything at the moment."

"We have a big word to say in the championship and want to show that week in week out. Getting a point at Liverpool and a good win today, we've made a very good start."

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway:
"Arsenal are a team full of fantastic players. They way they try and play, pass and move is an education."

"We were doing OK until the referee deemed Ian's challenge to be a sending off. I thought it was a penalty at best but then to send him off ridiculous - it absolutely ruined game as spectacle."

"But we'd probably have been beaten anyway. Some of the football Arsenal played was world class and they could have scored more. After the red card it was then damage limitation and the damaged us all the way to the end."

"It's a long hard road but our lads have to get up and get on with it. It's a joy for us to be here - we'll have to take a few humblings but I'm not that disappointed to be honest."

Source: David Ornstein, BBC Sport on 21 Aug 10