London: England winger Theo Walcott scored a hat trick on Saturday as Arsenal brought 10-man Blackpool back down to earth by thrashing the promoted side 6-0 in the Premier League.
Walcott scored twice in the first half and added a third after the interval. Goals from Abou Diaby and Marouane Chamakh plus a penalty from Andrey Arshavin completed the win at Emirates Stadium.
Arshavin's spot kick came after Blackpool centre-back Ian Evatt was sent off in the 32nd minute for bringing down Chamakh when the striker was through on goal. The score was 2-0 at that stage.
It was a rude awakening for the visitors after winning 4-0 at Wigan on the opening day of the season. Arsenal drew its first match 1-1 at Liverpool last Sunday.
It was the first league match between the two teams in 39 years and it started badly for Blackpool before getting much worse after Evatt's sending-off.
Walcott, who was in irresistible form against beleaguered Blackpool left-back Stephen Crainey, opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he sidefooted home after good buildup play by Tomas Rosicky and Arshavin.
Arshavin, Walcott and Chamakh all missed golden chances before Evatt received a red card for hauling down Chamakh. The attempted tackle appeared to be outside the area but referee Mike Jones awarded a penalty, which Arshavin slotted away in the 32nd.
Walcott scored his second seven minutes later, collecting a pass from Jack Wilshere and shooting on the turn into the bottom corner.
Blackpool's only chance of note in the first half came when Gary Taylor-Fletcher headed wide from eight yards with the goal at his mercy in the 15th, but the team should have been a lot further behind at the break.
Arsenal's fourth goal arrived in the 49th when Bacary Sagna crossed for Diaby to volley into the corner. Walcott completed his hat trick in the 58th by curling a left-footed shot into the corner.
World Cup stars Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie came on for the home side in the 62nd.
The visiting fans remained in good voice throughout an embarrassingly one-sided second half as Arsenal closed in on its biggest home win in the Premier League — 7-0 victories against Everton in 2005 and Middlesbrough in 2006.
Van Persie and substitute Carlos Vela wasted chances in the final 15 minutes for Arsene Wenger's side, before Chamakh rounded off the scoring with a header from a right-wing corner from Van Persie.
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