Theo Walcott produced a masterpiece performance by grabbing a brace in yesterday’s UEFA Champions group stage match, goals that gave his team 3 points against Basel.
It took the Gunners just six minutes to open the scoring as Walcott headed in from Alexis Sanchez’s cutback.
The two Arsenal men linked up again as Englishman Walcott drilled low into the net to complete a swift team move.
Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik made good saves to deny Sanchez and Hector Bellerin, with Birkir Bjarnason coming close for the visitors.
Speaking after the game, Arsenal boss – Arsene Wenger said that it was a fantastic performance but regrets his players did not capitalize on chances created.
“It was a game of top quality in the first half, the pace and technical quality of our movement. We created a lot of opportunities. I regret a bit we didn’t take enough of the chances we created, but it’s a good basis to have a thirst for more.
It looks like we’re playing with full power and pace. Now it’s about continuing to improve. We know we can be better. That will be down to humility, starting tomorrow morning again and focusing on the next game,” Wenger added.
The coach praised his goal scorer who happened to benefit twice from Alex Sachez assists.
“He has the ingredients to do very well there and he’s getting stronger in every single game,” said the Arsenal boss afterward.
Theo had a turnaround in form
“Me and the manager sat down and I’ve just looked at myself,” said Walcott.
“I want it more than anyone else, but that’s just me and the way that I work now. It’s a shame it only hit me a few years ago because there’s been a slight change in my attitude ahead of big games.”
It is not the chat which makes you score goals. He assessed where he stands and then rectified what he had to add to his game. That’s down to him, 95 per cent down to him.
The sublime skill and movement of attacking trio Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Walcott, who already has five goals this season, was too much for Basel to handle and the margin of victory could have been far more emphatic.
Arsenal will look to keep up their excellent form when they travel to Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday, 2 October (kick-off 16:30 BST).