BLACKBURN // All the focus at Ewood Park was on England's midweek hat-trick hero Theo Walcott, given a place in the Arsenal's starting line-up after his international exploits in Zagreb. But it was the Gunners' Togan striker Emmanuel Adebayor who stole the limelight with a clincal treble, as the visitors destroyed Paul Ince's Blackburn.
After the Dutch striker Robin van Persie had set Arsenal on their way, with a beautifully slotted finish from a Walcott pass, it was the Adebayor show. Thestriker made it 2-0 before half-time and then netted a second-half double to leave Walcott, and Rovers, in the shade. It was a little harsh on Rovers, who created plenty of first-half chances and could have levelled the score at 1-1 when new signing from MK Dons Kelvin missed an open goal from eight yards.
But the difference between the two teams was the clinical finishing of Arsene Wenger's young side. Arsenal were forced on the back foot as early as the third minute when Brett Emerton skipped away from Gael Clichy. The Australia midfielder raced to the byline, but there was no one on hand to pick up his cross. But the visitors made the breakthrough in the eighth minute with a marvellous goal - and Walcott was at the heart of the move.
He cut inside and weaved his way past a couple of players, before picking out van Persie in the penalty area. The Holland international showed the deftest of touches to beat goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a shot into the corner. Blackburn hit back and almost equalised two minutes later, only for Manuel Almunia to show superb reflexes and tip Roque Santa Cruz's effort over the top. It was a brief respite, however, as Arsenal broke quickly - and Walcott was narrowly off target after linking up with Emmanuel Adebayor.
Then Emerton broke into the box and set up Andrews who could only aim a despairing toe poke at at the ball as it fizzed across the six-yard box. Arsenal then made Rovers pay, adding a second in first-half stoppage time when Adebayor was left unmarked at the back post and headed home following a cross from Denilson. The Arsenal fans were on their feet two minutes into the second half when Walcott skipped away from Ryan Nelsen and homed in on goal. Warnock raced across to try to avert the danger but England's rising star still managed to sting Robinson's fingers with his effort.
Walcott then saw his shot spin off Nelsen for a corner following a flowing move which split open the defence. Arsenal made it 3-0 in the 81st minute when Warnock was adjudged to have blocked Eboue in the penalty area. Blackburn protested vigorously but Adebayor remained to cool to score his second goal of the game from the spot and seal an emphatic victory. Adebayor completed his hat-trick in stoppage time with a cool finish after a splendid through ball from substitute Jack Wilshere.
* PA Sport
