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THEO WALCOTT’S first Arsenal hat-trick brought 10-man Blackpool crashing back to earth. Walcott was left behind for England’s ill-fated World Cup campaign.
But he quickly showed his worth to his club side with a devastating treble that left the Seasiders rocking.
Ian Holloway’s men arrived at the Emirates on a high following their 4-0 thrashing of Wigan last week.
But it took just 12 minutes for Walcott to burst their bubble, rounding off a superb four-man move with a precise finish.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher had a glorious chance to equalise but he sent his downward header just wide.
Blackpool could not contain Walcott and he turned provider for Marouane Chamakh but his effort was just wide.
Andrey Arshavin’s half-volley was brilliantly saved by Matthew Gilks. But the Russian soon doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Ian Evatt slid in on Chamak from behind, although contact appeared to be just outside the box.
Referee Mike Jones, though, pointed to the spot, and showed Evatt the red card before Arshavin drove the ball home.
A brilliant block from Gilks prevented Chamakh from making it 3-0. Walcott showed off his improved finishing skills to add the third, though, when he turned Dekel Keinan on the penalty spot and drilled the ball into the far corner.
There was no respite for the visitors after the break as Abou Diaby arrived to sweep home Bacary Sagna’s low centre.
Walcott completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute when he curled the ball inside the far post after being fed by Diaby.
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Chamakh shinned a chance over but Blackpool then had to contend with a double Arsenal substitution in the shape of World Cup finalists Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.
With 24 minutes left, Walcott departed to a standing ovation with Carlos Vela replacing him.
Chamakh grabbed his first goal in English football on 83 minutes as he nodded home Van Persie’s corner.
A late own goal by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina gifted Arsenal a point in their opening Premier League match of the new campaign at Anfield.
Despite debutant Joe Cole seeing red before the interval, the hosts took the lead at the start of the second-half thanks to a belter from striker David Ngog.
The strike looked to have given new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson the perfect start, but the Gunners kept pushing and were rewarded with a last minute equaliser.
Hodgson named star striker Fernando Torres on the Liverpool bench, opting to start with Ngog upfront, with summer signing Cole making his Red’s debut supporting the Frenchman. Milan Jovanovic also made his debut in midfield alongside wantaway Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano.
Following a summer of transfer speculation, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was not included in the matchday squad due to illness, while striker Robin van Persie began on the bench. New signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny made their bows for the Gunners and teenage midfield playmaker Jack Wilshere was also included in the starting line-up.
Both teams started the match in a positive manner and as early as the fifth minute Thomas Vermaelen had the first chance, testing Reina with a 30-yard free-kick that the Spanish goalkeeper punched to safety.
Liverpool’s first chance of the match arrived shortly after. A long ball from captain Steven Gerrard found Dirk Kuyt on the right wing. The Dutchman played the ball inside to the overlapping Glen Johnson, who’s cross was just behind an unmarked Cole in the six-yard box.
Five minutes later a passing move from Arsenal down their left wing resulted in Samir Nasri playing a neat through ball to Emmanuel Eboue, but the backtracking Gerrard made a crucial last minute challenge to deny the Ivorian midfielder.
The two were involved again a minute later when a tackle by Gerrard on Eboue gave Arsenal a free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool area. However, Nasri’s free
Robin van Persie celebrates his 27th birthday today but he will be happy to wait until May for his present if Arsenal can gift-wrap the Premier League trophy this season.
The Dutch striker returned to training at Members’ Day on Thursday after taking a break following Holland’s run to the World Cup Final.
Van Persie worked on his fitness and then fielded questions from supporters at a special Members’ Q&A alongside Andrey Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Eboue.
An ankle ligament injury sidelined the Dutchman for five months last term and he wants to make amends in 2010/11. Van Persie has pledged to win a trophy to repay the fans for their support and reward the team for its style of football.
“I have never stopped believing in Arsenal,” said Van Persie. “I love this club, this is my seventh year now. Arsenal gave me a chance to develop into a good player and I want to repay the Club and the fans and everyone with trophies.
“I love the way of thinking at Arsenal, the way of playing really stands out. I know two teams who play similar football; they are us and Barcelona. Some teams are trying but not really coming close. I speak to colleagues in the national team from different big teams which have a different way of thinking.
“But I prefer our way of thinking, very much. That’s why I believe and I don’t stop believing when things go against us.”
Van Persie emerged from the players’ tunnel for the annual photocall on Thursday with a new number on his back – he has taken the No 10 shirt which was recently vacated by William Gallas. At the Q&A Van Persie explained the reason for his switch.
“I am looking forward to wearing the No 10, very much,” he said. “I always played No 10 when I was younger but I never did since I turned professional so I am looking forward to it and for me it’s a special number because Dennis Bergkamp had it for 11 years.
“I am very pleased to wear that number, it should be worn by a striker or a midfielder.”
Arsene Wenger has confirmed neither of Arsenal’s World Cup final duo Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie will feature in the last pre-season friendly at Legia Warsaw this weekend.
..The pair have been on extended leave following their exploits in South Africa, but are scheduled to return to the club later this week for the official photocall and Members Day at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
While Holland forward van Persie is again set to be Arsenal’s main attacking threat next season, the future of skipper Fabregas remains uncertain as the 23-year-old continues to be linked with Barcelona.
Wenger, however, will not rush either man back into action – and the duo may even struggle to be fully match-fit for the opening Premier League match at Liverpool on August 15.
“Against Legia Warsaw you will see the players we saw (in the Emirates Cup),” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. “I believe (Alex) Song will be short, you have a little chance to see Denilson and a very little chance to see (Abou) Diaby – but Fabregas and Van Persie will not be ready.”
Robin van Persie will wear the Arsenal No 10 shirt next season.
The Dutchman has taken on the number vacated by William Gallas, whose contract ended on June 30.
Van Persie follows in the footsteps of his compatriot Dennis Bergkamp, who donned the No 10 shirt during his Arsenal days.
Carlos Vela has also changed his squad number. He is now No 11.
Anyone who has already pre-ordered the new Arsenal No 10 or 11 shirts from Arsenal.com with Robin van Persie’s name and number will receive their shirt with the new squad number.
Anyone who has pre-ordered or bought the new Arsenal shirts with ‘Vela 12′ from Arsenal.com can return their shirt to exchange it for one with the updated number. Proof of purchase will be required.
It is known already that Barcelona has the offer fro Fabregas to move there, and the issue has been spreading about them man is moving. But Robin Van Persie seems to disapprove the idea, as he asked Fabregas to stay in Arsenal and refuse Barcelona’s offer. Van Persie said that it will be hard to find a player to replace Fabregas.
In the World Cup 2010 final, Van Persie was disappointed as his team was defeated by Spain’s team, where Fabregas made a significant contribution with an assist to Iniesta, which caused the score 1-0 for Spain, leading them to be the World Cup champion. But apparently Van Persie has forgotten about that. He prefers focusing on the next season, and he believes that the team still needs Fabregas.
Van Persie said that he already had a good connection with Fabregas. He said that the man is able to think fast. Meanwhile, the manager of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, also wants to keep Fabregas in the team.
Robin van Persie claims Holland were right to adopt strong-arm tactics in the 2010 World Cup final.
The Dutch came in for heavy criticism following their 1-0 defeat to Spain in football’s showpiece event as they discarded their usual free-flowing approach in favour of rough and tumble.
A disjointed encounter saw referee Howard Webb brandish 14 yellow cards and send Holland defender John Heitinga for an early bath.
Arsenal striker van Persie was the first of those to go into the book, setting the tone for what was to follow.
Despite seeing Bert van Marwijk’s men widely condemned for their heavy-handed approach, the Gunners ace claims they got their tactics spot on and has refused to apologise for ruining the game as a spectacle.
“People criticised us for our playing style,” said van Persie.
“It was not as pretty as it used to be with Holland. But my question is: Getting results and reaching the final or playing the beautiful game and getting knocked out in the first round – which would you choose?
“Just before France had to pack their bags, Patrick Vieira said to me that you don’t have to play well in the group stages of a World Cup, not even in the second round.
“Only later do you have to grow as a team and you will reach a high level. That will get you to the final.
“That is exactly the way we did it. Against Brazil in the second half, we were brilliant.”
Van Persie added: “I know how difficult it can be to play wonderful football and not get the result you want. I see it at Arsenal more than I want to.
“When we play the likes of Bolton and Blackburn we dominate the game, we play attacking football and they score from a lousy throw-in or an odd corner kick.
“The criticism Holland got in the World Cup I recognise from what we get at Arsenal. It was a final. You don’t give up without a fight, do you?”
Arsenal 6-0 BlackPool 
