Theo Walcott rounded off a marvellous week by helping Arsenal to acomfortable 4-0 victory against Blackburn at Ewood Park, with EmmanuelAdebayor this time a hat-trick hero.
Arsenal's Robin Van Persie scores the opener against Blackburn Rovers.
The19-year-old Walcott returned to the side after his superb treble forEngland and set up the opening goal for Robin van Persie in the eighthminute.
• Wenger: Gunners romp is Euro boost
Walcottlooked full of confidence following his demolition of Croatia and witha Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev to come on Wednesday, heplayed only 63 minutes.
He was given a rapturous reception by the visiting supporters and a few of the home ones as well.
It was Adebayor who carried the main threat in this match and he was in irrepressible form.
Arsenalstamped their mark on the game with a marvellous goal in the eighthminute and Walcott was at the heart of the move. He cut inside andweaved his way past a couple of players before picking out Van Persiein the penalty area.
The Holland international showed the deftest of touches to beat goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a shot into the corner.
Blackburnhit back and almost equalised two minutes later, only for ManuelAlmunia to show superb reflexes and tip Roque Santa Cruz's effort overthe top.
Arsenal were spraying the ball about well and Van Persiecame close to adding to his tally in the 29th minute. However, he foundthe side-netting with his effort.
Blackburn were making a decentfist of it, however, and Brett Emerton made space in the 33rd minute,only for Almunia to block his effort.
Five minutes later, Gael Clichy did well to head away an inswinging cross from Morten Gamst Pedersen.
Emerton then tried to pick out Santa Cruz, only for Kolo Toure to make a timely interception at the back post.
Arsenal responded immediately in the 41st minute, but Van Persie's left-foot effort was marginally off-target.
Itwas an open game and Pedersen whipped in a free-kick two minutes laterthat went wide of the post and Santa Cruz's header failed to troubleAlmunia.
Arsenal added a second in stoppage time and questions must be asked of the Blackburn defence.
Adebayorwas left unmarked at the back post and took full advantage of the homeside's carelessness by heading home for his first goal of the BarclaysPremier League campaign.
The Arsenal fans were on their feet twominutes into the second half when Walcott skipped away from Ryan Nelsenand homed in on goal.
Steven Warnock raced across to try to avertthe danger, but England's rising star still managed to sting Robinson'sfingers with his effort.
Arsenal kept up the pressure and Toure found Walcott, but his cross was headed wide by Adebayor.
Blackburnfound themselves on the back foot again with both Toure and EmmanuelEboue coming close to extending the Gunners' advantage.
Toure was left frustrated at failing to score with a header while Eboue's effort from distance was gathered safely by Robinson.
Arsenalmade it 3-0 in the 81st minute when Warnock was adjudged to haveblocked Eboue in the penalty area. Blackburn protested vigorously butAdebayor remained to cool to score his second goal of the game from thespot and seal an emphatic victory.
And the Togo internationalcompleted his hat-trick in stoppage time with a cool finish after asplendid throughball from substitute Jack Wilshere.
Wenger: Gunners romp is Euro boostArsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side are in great shape ahead oftheir Champions League match against Dinamo Kiev following the demolition ofBlackburn at Ewood Park.Emmanuel Adebayor scored a hat-trick, one from the penalty spot, with Robin vanPersie also on target in a 4-0 victory.While Adebayor's contribution was vital, Wenger praised Theo Walcott for theway he responded after a superb treble for England in midweek.Wenger said: "We looked dangerous and fluent going forward. It was awell-accomplished victory."You can be successful when you express your strengths and we did that today."Blackburn are dangerous going forward and I am happy we did not concede anygoals."It is another big game on Wednesday and in the Champions League it isimportant to start well."We are in a tough group and Kiev are experienced as well as being a strongside at home."This victory, however, will give us confidence as we know we will have to putin a similar performance next week."Walcott set up the opening goal for van Persie after eight minutes with ajinking run before Adebayor took centre stage.Adebayor scored his first Premier League goal of the season before half-timewith a free header, added a second from the penalty spot before completing asuperb individual display in stoppage time.Wenger admitted he had toyed with the idea of resting Walcott only to changehis mind - and it paid off.The 19-year-old came off after 63 minutes to a rousing reception from thevisiting supporters.Wenger said: "I assess every individual and I thought about leaving him out.But he gives us balance and penetration away from home."Theo can play on the right or the left. He likes both sides - he has beeneducated like that."The problem when you score three for the national team is everyone expectsyou to score three again in the next game."We know he can be dangerous but for me the most important thing is he has ateam attitude. He works hard for the side and we will give him time todevelop."The downside for Wenger is that he could be without Emmanuel Eboue and GaelClichy for the match in Ukraine after they picked up knocks today. Sami Nasri isalso doubtful with a knee injury.Meanwhile Blackburn boss Paul Ince was left to reflect on defensive blundersthat cost his team dear after they had carved out a series of half chances.For the second successive match they conceded four goals and Ince said: "Thegoal just before half-time killed us. We lost concentration, it was suicidaldefending."You cannot give any team a two-goal start least of all Arsenal. They are anexcellent side. I am glad we do not have to play them every week which is a goodthing."Even though we are playing well and creating chances, we have got to look atour defensive work." |
發表於 2008-9-14 07:42 PM
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發表於 2008-9-14 07:45 PM
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