Theo Walcott scored a first-half hat-trick as FA Cup finalists Arsenal made certain of a Champions League group stage place by demolishing West Brom. Theo, in his first Gunners start since 14 March, cemented the club’s 3rd place position in the League as well as ending West Brom’s five-game unbeaten run. Walcott, making his first club start for more than two months, fired an early shot into the top corner, before poking in a second from close range. Jack Wilshere thumped in a third from 20 yards, and Walcott tapped in a fourth before half-time. Gareth McAuley headed a second-half goal for Albion.
Walcott is starting to regain his best form after almost a year out with a knee injury, while Wilshere has only recently returned to action after being plagued by ankle problems. Both made a point, after scoring, of going over to the bench to celebrate with Arsenal physio Declan Lynch, who has done much to help them get back to fitness – but who is about to leave for a new role at Premiership rugby union side Bath. Manager Arsene Wenger will be pleased that both players look ready to play a part in next Saturday’s FA Cup final against Aston Villa. And he will also be happy that his side have found their goalscoring touch after three successive home games without finding the net. Walcott struck early, thumping an unstoppable shot across keeper Boaz Myhill. The forward then side-stepped Jonas Olsson to prod in a second from eight yards after Wilshere and Mesut Ozil combined to set him up.
His England colleague Wilshere struck a spectacular third with only 17 minutes gone, finding the top corner as Albion struggled to clear a set-piece. Walcott, though, made sure of headline status by completing his hat-trick, tapping in after Santi Cazorla rolled the ball across the goal. McAuley’s consolation goal, his first in the league since December 2013, was headed in from a corner, with Arsenal keeper David Ospina at fault. Arsenal eased off with victory secure, yet still could have had further goals, with substitute Aaron Ramsey striking the post before having a chip turned on to the bar by Myhill. But they showed enough to strengthen their position as favourites to win the FA Cup next Saturday. Arsenal finish the league with 75 points and 35 goal difference.