Walcott hat-trick helps Arsenal to thrilling win

"Just give him the money Arsene" were the words of many fans after Theo Walcott scored a scintillating hat-trick as Arsenal won 7-3 in a thrilling match with Newcastle on Saturday. It was a quite brilliant performance from Walcott as he started up front for the third game in a row and he repaid the manager as he also assisted two goals as Giroud came off the bench to seal the win. Meanwhile there were goals for Lukas Podolski who looked to be finally finding his feet in English football and a first in the League this season for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Gunners made only one change to the side that had beaten Wigan as Koscielny came in for Mertesacker who was suffering from illness. Meanwhile there were places on the bench for well enough again Tomas Rosicky and Olivier Giroud. Newcastle, however, weren't helped by the huge amount of injuries they had and the fact that Arsenal's players were fresher due to not playing on Boxing day like most other Premier League clubs.

Theo Walcott scored a brilliant hat-trick as Arsenal beat Newcastle

The first chance of the match came in the first minute as Tiote's shot was closed down by Wilshere who was then allowed to break and find Oxlade-Chamberlain but he dragged his shot wide of the goal.

Arsenal had had good possession in the opening moments of the match and that was shown 20 minutes in as they took the lead. Cazorla's ball found Podolski on the left hand side who then picked out Walcott in acres of space. He then beared down on goal and finished from a tight angle.

Newcastle's first real chance came five minutes before the break as Tiote let fly from outside the box but it was well saved by Szczesny.

Moments before the break Newcastle did indeed find themselves a goal as Demba Ba's free-kick deflected off Wilshere, wrong footing Szczesny and finding the back of the net.

The visitors then had another sight of goal as Marveaux drove towards the area before hitting a shot which was beaten away by Szczesny.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Five minutes after the break the Gunners found themselves back in front. Cazorla picked the ball up on the edge of the area and then found Oxlade-Chamberlain who set himself before firing the ball into the corner of the net.

Moments later it was all level again as Obertain got to the byline before sliding the ball across goal to Marveaux who was left with a simple tap in to equalise for Newcastle.

Arsenal then went pressing for a goal that would give them the lead as Cazorla spun on the edge of the area before hitting a shot which Krul managed to put out for a corner.

They then did find the goal that would give them the lead as Wilshere drove to the byline before dinking the ball towards goal. The ball was cleared off the line by Coloccini but straight to Podolski who headed home from close range.

Newcastle then found another equaliser though as Marveaux was allowed to drive forward once again, then cut back and find Demba Ba at the back post who was left with a simple finish.

The goals didn't stop there though as Arsenal scored again. Podolski played in Gibbs down the left who then cut the ball back to Walcott who was able to turn and then find the roof of the net.

Into the last ten minutes of the game and Walcott almost got his hat-trick as he skipped past one challenge before seeing his deflected shot bounce just wide of the goal.

That didn't stop Theo Walcott from assisting a goal though as he picked the ball up on the right hand side and then delivered the ball on a plate for Giroud who headed past Krul for Arsenal's fifth.

The Gunners then found themselves a sixth and a second for Giroud as Walcott attacked the box and was then tackled. However the ball fell kindly to Giroud who got into the box before finishing emphatically with his right foot.

Into injury time and Theo Walcott got his hat-trick. He managed to get to the byline, get through three Newcastle defenders, which in the process he was fouled but then managed to get back up, before dinking the ball over Krul and into the back of the net.

There was one final chance though as Giroud almost got his hat-trick. Ramsey got the ball on the left hand side then drilled in the cross which Giroud met on the run but his shot cannoned back off the cross bar.

The final score finished Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla(86), Oxlade-Chamberlain(74), Podolski(82), Walcott.
Subs: Mannone, Djourou, Coquelin(86), Ramsey(82), Rosicky, Gervinho, Giroud(74).

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson(82), Perch, Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Bigirimana(82), Marveaux(88), Obertan, Cisse, Ba.
Subs: Harper, Tavernier(88), Streete, Abeid, Ferguson(82), Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi(82).

My man of the match: Theo Walcott

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 60,087