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. Andrey Arshavin's penalty, which saw Ian Evatt sent off for a foul that appeared to be outside the area, made it two before Walcott drilled a third. Abou Diaby clipped home, Walcott curled in and Marouane Chamakh headed a sixth. Following the opening-weekend draw at Liverpool, the Gunners now have their first victory of the season and boss Arsene Wenger will be delighted with his side's performance. Opposite number Ian Holloway insisted before the match that his side would "have a go" and admitted they "might end up losing by the most embarrassing scoreline even in the Premier League". Fortunately for the Seasiders, that scenario did not materialise - but after Evatt's dismissal there was a feeling that it could have gone that way. 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, Walcott side-footing home after a superb passing move between Arshavin, Chamakh and Tomas Rosicky. Blackpool would have levelled almost immediately had Gary Taylor-Fletcher not headed wide from Stephen Crainey's cross - and they were made to pay, albeit in acrimonious circumstances. Arshavin, Chamakh and Walcott all went close before Rosicky put Chamakh through on goal and the Moroccan was brought down by last-man Evatt. Referee Mike Jones gave the defender his marching orders and pointed straight to the spot, but replays suggested the challenge was made outside the box. Arshavin beat Gilks low to the goalkeeper's left and, with Blackpool down to 10 men and clearly rattled by the nature of Arsenal's second, the Gunners were able to lay siege to Blackpool's goal. Gilks saved with his feet to deny Chamakh from Walcott's through-ball before the England winger collected Jack Wilshere's pass, spun debutant Dekel Keinan and drilled home to double his account. Chamakh saw a volley brilliantly repelled shortly before half-time and Arsenal picked up where they left off after the restart. Blackpool's initial 4-3-3 formation had now morphed into a understandably defensive 4-3-1, yet nothing Holloway ordered could stem the waves of attack. A poor challenge by Crainey allowed Bacary Sagna to break clear on the right and his cross was turned into the bottom corner by Diaby, who then released Walcott to get his third with a fine left-footed strike. The Blackpool fans continued to serenade their tiring players and the home crowd responded when World Cup finalists Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were introduced from the substitutes bench. Their arrivals at 5-0 illustrated the gulf in class between the two sides and, while Fabregas pulled the strings alongside the hugely impressive Wilshere in midfield, Van Persie caused Blackpool no shortage of problems up front. Although the match began to resemble a training 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 first just over the bar. If nothing else, the visitors deserved a consolation strike for the efforts of their players and supporters. But it was not to be as Arsenal cruised over the line. Source: BBC