Rampant Arsenal savage Slavia
Theo Walcott was rewarded for his impressive substitute performance at the weekend
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Tuesday, 23, Oct 2007 10:38
Youngster Theo Walcott scored twice as Arsenal romped to an emphatic 7-0 win over Slavia Prague in their Champions League group game.
Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas also grabbed a brace as Arsene Wenger's men tore apart their Czech opposition in a devastating display of attacking football.
The first goal came after five minutes as Fabregas lashed home a shot from the edge of the area after Alexander Hleb's astute cut-back.
The visitors squandered a rare opportunity as David Kalivoda blazed over the bar, but the action was firmly centred on the other end of the pitch.
Arsenal's second goal arrived soon after, via an own goal, as Hleb's long-range effort caught a wicked deflection off David Hubacek.
Walcott opened his continental account on 38 minutes as goalkeeper Martin Vaniak's clearance flew straight to his quick feet and he found the net with a neat finish.
A sublime period just after the interval saw the hosts pile on another three goals in 13 minutes as Hleb, Walcott and a beautiful team move finished by Fabregas sent the Emirates into raptures.
Walcott was spared in Arsene Wenger's subsequent wholesale substitutions and remained a quicksilver threat through the middle and out wide.
The former Southampton starlet was only denied a hat-trick by a splendid save from Vaniak, but another of the Gunners' young striking talents, Nicklas Bendtner, wrapped up the win with a goal a minute from time.