Theo Walcott double leads Arsenal to Basel triumph
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Updated 28/09/2016 at 21:48 GMT
Champions League Group A, Emirates Stadium – Arsenal 2 (Walcott 7, 26) Basel 0
Arsenal's Theo Walcott (L) celebrates
Image credit: AFP
Theo Walcott’s fine form continued with a brace as Arsenal claimed a routine 2-0 victory over Basel in the Champions League.
The rejuvenated 27-year-old took his tally to four goals in three games with a header and a drilled effort, both in the first half-hour of the game.
Arsenal should really have scored more. Alexis Sanchez controlled the play but lost his composure in front of goal, while Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could all have increased the Gunners' margin of victory.
Credit should go to Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik, whose courageous display kept the Arsenal frontline at bay.
The clash also pitted the Xhaka brothers, Arsenal's Granit and Basel's Taulant, against each other again after their unusual match-up at Euro 2016. The former represents Switzerland, while his older sibling plays for Albania.
Arsenal remain unbeaten in Group A with four points from two games, the same total as Paris Saint-Germain who were 3-1 winners at Ludogorets Razgrad.
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Arsenal's Theo Walcott scores their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
TALKING POINT
How far will Arsenal go in this competition? Honestly, at times they look like world beaters – there was some exquisite football on show at the Emirates. But they didn’t take advantage of all their opportunities and against stronger opposition than Basel they may suffer.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Theo Walcott (Arsenal). Well, who else? Tomas Vaclik deserves an honourable mention – he kept Basel in it. But a Champions League brace during a run of fine goalscoring form deserves the accolade.
[BEST TWEETS: ‘Theo Walcott should be England player-manager’]
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Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez reacts after missing a chance to score
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
Arsenal: Ospina 7, Bellerin 8, Mustafi 7, Koscielny 7, Monreal 8, Xhaka 7, Cazorla 8, Walcott 9, Ozil 8, Iwobi 7, Alexis 8. Subs: Gibbs 7, Gabriel 7, Oxlade-Chamberlain 7.
Basel: Vaclik 9, Lang 7, Suchy 6, Xhaka 7, Balanta 7, Traore 6, Bjarnason 7, Zuffi 7, Fransson 6, Doumbia 7, Steffen 7. Subs: Delgado 6, Elyounoussi 6, Sporar 6.
KEY MOMENTS
7’ - GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Basel. Well, that was coming. Sanchez dashes through the middle, terrific dinked cross, and Walcott nods that home with ease.
26’ - GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Basel. And there's Theo Walcott once again! He fires in from an acute angle, bouncing it off the post after a wonderful build-up, including a casual one-two with Alexis. Lovely football.
33’ - CHANCE! That was such beautiful football I could genuinely weep. Fantastically fast break and exchange of passes across half the pitch, and Sanchez can't slot it over the keeper from close-range.
63’ - SAVE BY OSPINA! Lang cuts in from the right, laying it off to Bjarnason, whose dipping shot is punched over the crossbar.
88’ - CHANCE! Arsenal on the break! Oxlade-Chamberlain rounds Vaclik, who's off his line and narrowing the angle, and then decides to wait for about six hours to get his shot in. By that time, the goalkeeper's recovered himself and puts in a good save.
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FC Basel's Taulant Xhaka with his brother Granit Xhaka of Arsenal after the match
Image credit: Reuters
KEY STATS
Theo Walcott equals Cesc Fàbregas and Freddie Ljungberg on 13 Champions League goals for Arsenal. Only Thierry Henry (35) and Robin van Persie (18) have scored more for the club.
Alexis Sanchez is the first Arsenal player with two assist in one Champions League match since Santi Cazorla against Borussia Dortmund (2-0) on 26 November 2014.
FC Basel lose for the first time in a Champions League away match against English sides (W1-D4-L1).
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