Theo Walcott was the star of the show as Arsenal hit 10 man Blackpool for 6.
It took Theo just 12 minutes to get on the scoresheet, followed by another after 39 minutes and completing the hat-trick on 58 minutes.
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Early reports are that Theo Walcott has been omitted from the England World Cup squad going to South Africa
Arsène Wenger believes Theo Walcott’s match-changing substitute appearance against Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium has given Arsenal the confidence they need to progress into the Champions League semi-finals.
Arsenal salvaged a 2-2 draw against the European champions with second-half goals from Walcott and Cesc Fabregas after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given the Spaniards a 2-0 lead.
Injuries have taken the shine off Arsenal’s impressive comeback, with Fabregas suffering a serious leg injury and William Gallas aggravating a calf problem.
Wenger admitted playing Gallas was a gamble which failed but believes the pace of Walcott, who came off the bench to score after an hour, could yet be decisive in the return leg.
Wenger said: “He (Walcott) had a huge impact when he came on. He has qualities which can be useful on a big pitch like the Nou Camp. We can still qualify.
“We have to study how we can win the ball back. When we did that we always looked dangerous against them. We have to go for it. It would be a big achievement but we believe we can do it.”
Wenger admitted his side were fortunate to still be in the tie after being outplayed for most of the match.
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The Arsenal and England winger, 20, has been snapped up by a top book publisher after he penned two stories for fun about a hero schoolboy… who happens to be a soccer wonderkid.
His inspirational tales - poised to hit shelves next April - were last night hailed as “full of action and passion”.
Theo Walcott has been included in the England Under-21 squad for next month’s European Championships, despite the fears of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Walcott, 20, who is also in the senior squad for World Cup qualifiers, could suffer burnout, Wenger has warned.
He says the winger will only have one week’s rest before pre-season begins if England win the Under-21 tournament.
Walcott was out for four months this season after injuring himself on international duty last year.
Theo Walcott has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal.
The 20-year-old has become a regular fixture in the starting XI this season having joined the north London club from Southampton in January 2006.
“Theo is an intelligent player and has developed well this season,” manager Arsene Wenger told the club website.
Walcott added: “I’m delighted to have signed a new long-term deal. I’m so happy here and just want to say thanks to everyone who has helped me.”
Theo Walcott got Arsenal off to a great start in their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea with an 18th minute goal, this was then cancelled out by a Malouda and a late Drogba winner.
Arsenal now have to look forward to the trip to Anfield on Tuesday to take on second placed Liverpool in the Premier League.
“Everyone is down, but we have to forget about this, because we have got a very big game on Tuesday against Liverpool” said Theo
Stuart Pearce has named his England Under-21 squad for the upcoming friendlies against Norway and France which will see a return to the City Ground for the former Nottingham Forest favourite.
Pearce has selected as strong a squad as possible as he begins to firmly focus on the summer, as Manchester City ‘keeper Joe Hart, Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and Aston Villa’s James Milner return.
Theo Walcott will be included in the Arsenal squad for Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round meeting with Burnley at Emirates Stadium.
Walcott has not featured since dislocating his shoulder while on international duty with England ahead of their friendly with Germany in November.
Theo Walcott feels he could be fit enough to make Arsenal’s Champions League tie with Roma.
Theo is recovering from a shoulder operation and told an EA Sports webchat yesterday: “I am nearly there, and hopefully [will be back] by the end of this month.
“I am doing a lot of rehab work now with the shoulder, landing on it, and also in the gym with a lot of weights to build the muscle strength back.
“I am seeing a specialist on February 24 so he will give me the heads [up]. Maybe it can be for that game I don’t know. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up but I hope to be back by the end of the month certainly.”
Shoulder problems run in the Walcott family however the winger feels this latest setback in fact could be beneficial in the long run.
“My dad had an operation on his right side (shoulder) as well, and when I had my left side done, they did a scan on my right and said that something might have to be done at a different stage,” Walcott added.
“So actually it is good that it has come when I am young, and hopefully now it will be as strong as anything.”
