FA Cup: Arsenal thrash Southampton 5-0

Theo Walcott’s hat-trick and Danny Welbeck’s brace spurred Arsenal to a gallant victory over Southampton in their FA Cup fourth round clash on Saturday at St. Mary’s Stadium.

Arsene Wenger’s side ruthlessly outclassed the home team as they came crashing down to earth after reaching the EFL Cup final with victory at Liverpool on Wednesday.

Welback, who played for the first time since May, 2016 following a knee surgery, put Arsenal ahead with two goals in the first 22 minutes, and made an assist for the third by Walcott before half-time.

After the break, Alexis Sanchez was brought up as substitute and he created two comfortable finishes Walcott to make it five for the Gunners.

“We were very dynamic, explosive and overall we had a good consistent performance over 90 minutes and everybody played well,” said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who served the first of his four-match touchline ban in the clash.

Read Also: FA Cup: Chelsea, Man City, Spurs advance to fifth round

“Welbeck has been out for such a long time, I didn’t expect him to score straight away and it shows the desire is there.

“People say I make changes but I bring in Walcott, Welbeck and Perez, all top-quality players. After that I try to find the best balance for the team,” he added.

Southampton manager Claude Puel said he was sorry after his side’s defeat but blamed tight fixtures for his woes.

“I am responsible for the defeat. If I had to do other team at the start I would make the same because it is a difficult moment for us with all these games. We had nine players not available and I had to protect some players. It is not possible to play every three days with the same players and with some players with injuries.

“It was a good lesson, they are a great team. We started the game without good experience and were nervous. It was better in the final 10 minutes of the first half and in the second half it was interesting – it was a good reaction in the collective,” he stated.

Southampton will travel to Swansea on Tuesday, while, Arsenal are at home to Watford on the same night as they look to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea, who are eight points clear of the Gunners.

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