Theo Walcott registered the first hat-trick of his club career as Arsenal brought Blackpool back down to earth with a resounding win at the Emirates. Newly-promoted Blackpool, who won 4-0 at Wigan on the opening day, started well but Walcott slotted Arsenal ahead. Ian Evatt was sent off for a foul that appeared to be outside the area, Andrey Arshavin scoring the penalty, before Walcott drilled a third on 39 minutes. Abou Diaby clipped home, Walcott curled in and Marouane Chamakh headed a sixth.

Arsenal now their first victory of the season, after drawing their opener against Liverpool 1-1 and delighted manager Arsene Wenger. Blackpool did enjoy plenty of early possession and carved out the first meaningful attempt on goal when David Vaughan shot powerfully at Manuel Almunia. But Arsenal soon settled into a tidy rhythm and opened the scoring through Walcott’s side-footed finish on 12 minutes after a superb passing move between Arshavin, Chamakh and Tomas Rosicky. Arshavin, Chamakh and Walcott all went close before Rosicky put Chamakh through on goal and the Moroccan was brought down by last-man Evatt. Although the match began to resemble a training session late on, there was still time for Chamakh to nod in Van Persie’s corner for his first Arsenal goal and Blackpool substitute Brett Ormerod fire just over the bar.