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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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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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
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.”
And his Arsenal team- mate Robin Van Persie is close to agreeing a four-year extension taking him to 2013.
The Gunners are desperate to tie England star Walcott (right), 19, to a long-term deal.
He has 18 months left on his current deal but such is his magnificent form for club and country, boss Arsene Wenger is ready to double his wages to £60,000-a-week.
Walcott, a £12m signing from Southampton in January 2006, is happy at the Emirates despite Chelsea and Real Madrid interest.
Arsenal produced a great display to see off the current premiership Champions at the Emirates Stadium.
Two goals from Nasri set Arsenal on their way to the win with a late strike by United’s Rafael to make it finish 2-1
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal duo Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott suffered ‘very bad injuries’ in the 2-1 defeat at Stoke City.
Adebayor was replaced by Carlos Vela after 73 minutes of the loss at the Britannia Stadium after picking up a couple of knocks.
Walcott had only been introduced as a second-half substitute, but was stretchered off with a suspected shoulder injury in the dying embers of the game.
Though Wenger did not confirm the severity of the two players’ injuries, the Gunners boss hinted that Adebayor and Walcott could be out for several weeks.
Theo Walcott was on the scoresheet yet again as Arsenal run riot in Turkey.
The goals came from Adebayor, Walcott, Diaby, Song and Ramsey.
The win keeps Arsenal top of Group G on 7 points, with Dynamo Kiev on 5 points in 2nd place