Southampton 0 Arsenal 5: Theo Walcott bags a hat-trick and Danny Welbeck a brace as Gunners thump Saints

ARSENAL cruised into the FA Cup fifth round as a Theo Walcott hat-trick and a double from Danny Welbeck helped them thump Southampton 4-0.

Welbeck, making his first start for the Gunners since returning from injury, opened the scoring after 15 minutes.

The striker met a pass from Lucas Perez and chipped the ball over the keeper and in off the crossbar.

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His first start since May 2016 then got even better seven minutes later as he latched onto Alex Oxlade-Chambelrain's floated ball over the top and poked home for his second.

Walcott then got in on the act before the break, sliding home Welbeck's cross to make it three.

After reaching Wembley in midweek in the EFL Cup, the Saints appeared to be suffering a hangover and it got worse in the second half as Walcott clicked into full throttle.

The England international, who left Southampton for the Emirates in 2006, converted a pass from Alexis Sanchez for his brace.

And he made it an unforgetable return to St Mary's in the closing stages ,securing the match ball with five minutes to go.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

• Arsene Wenger was starting the first match of his four-game touchline ban – but he was lucky to avoid a stadium ban which would have meant him watching the game from a hotel in Southampton. He clearly enjoyed his view for the outstanding first 45 minutes, though.
• Before the game, former Arsenal defender  and TV pundit Martin Keown referred to Steve Bould as being a ‘young’ assistant manager. Bould is 54.
• Arsenal made 10 changes from their previous game against Burnley while Saints also made 10 changes following their EFL Cup win at Liverpool. Jack Stephens was the only player to keep his place.
• Arsenal fans, who travelled here in great numbers, will have been pleased to see Danny Welbeck make his first start of the season after three appearances as a substitute. He suffered a knee injury last May. Theo Walcott also made his first appearance since December. Neither could have wished for better returns to action.
  

   

• Welbeck certainly made his mark – after just 15 minutes. Following a clever flick from Lucas Perez, Welbeck took one touch of the ball before delivering a terrific chip over keeper Harry Lewis and it went in via the underside of the bar. In fairness, to the home supporters, quite a few of them applauded. Wenger was pictured sat up in the stands, smiling.
• Welbeck, 26, had certainly waited a long time for this. This was his first goal since scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Norwich on April 30 but his second came just seven minutes later. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sent a long ball over the top, Welbeck got goal side of Jack Stephens and the England forward put the ball through Lewis’ legs.
• Oh dear. It all started to turn into a nightmare for Saints. There was again good work from Welbeck who crossed but it should have been cleared by Sam McQueen but he did not bother – he looked half asleep – and tapped the ball into the net.
• Welbeck got a good reception when he was replaced in the 65th minute with Alexis Sanchez coming on.
  

• Sanchez took just four minutes to make his mark, pulling the ball back for Walcott to grab his second.
• The atmosphere at St Mary’s was very quiet. Arsenal fans sang: ‘Is this the Emirates?’
• Saints fans will not be too disappointed. This was their 14th game of the season outside the Premier League – and they still have that EFL Cup final against Manchester United on February 26.
• The final insult came five minutes from time with Walcott scoring a hat-trick against his former club. Again, it was another fine ball from Sanchez.

THE BIG PICTURE

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

Southampton: Lewis 5, Martina 5, Gardos 5, Stephens 4, McQueen 5, Hojbjerg 6, Reed 5, Clasie 5, Sims 6, Long 6 (Redmond 65, 5), Isgrove 6 (Tadic 64, 5)

Subs not used: Yoshida, Davis, Romeu, Bertrand, Taylor

Arsenal: Ospina 7, Bellerin 7, Mustafi 7, Holding 7, Gibbs 7, Oxlade-Chamberlain 9, Maitland-Niles 7, Reine-Adelaide 8 (Iwobi 72), Walcott 9, Perez 8, Welbeck 9 (Sanchez 65, 7)

Subs not used: Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal, Jenkinson, Martinez

THEY SAID

Danny Welbeck told BT Sport: "I've had experience of coming back from injury before so you kind of know what to expect. But it was good to finally be back on the pitch.

"It's been a horrible few months with the injury but to be back out there doing what I love and scoring goals, is great."

Theo Walcott on BT Sport: "Southampton tend to be our bogey side but from the word go we were ready. We came out of the blocks running and Danny Welbeck came back with a bang. We created a lot of chances and it was nice to have the clean sheet.

"Southampton will always be in my heart I have some great memories here, they are a strong team and I will cheer them on in the EFL Cup final."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told BT Sport: "I think it was good to watch because we had a good game and were very dangerous. We were in control, very explosive.

"Danny Welbeck was very sharp because he has been working very hard. He comes back from a long way out and has gone through some very difficult moments mentally. But his resilience was absolutely marvellous and he was rewarded tonight, so we are happy."