Football: Carling Cup 4th Round - Newcastle 0, Arsenal 4

Published: 28 October, 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger was quick to heap praise on Theo Walcott after Arsenal thumped Newcastle 4-0 last night (Wednesday) to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

The winger capped a man-of-the-match performance at St James’s Park with two well-taken goals.

Wenger said: “He’s worked hard this season, and I believe that now he’s ready to go to another level.”

Before kick-off Wenger made it clear he wants his team “to win everything” as the pressure of five trophyless years starts to take its toll.

And although the Arsenal boss made nine changes from the team that beat Manchester City on Sunday, his intentions were clear as he brought in the likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Tomas Rosicky and Walcott.

The new-look Gunners side made a blistering start with Carlos Vela, Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue all forcing saves from Newcastle keeper Tim Krul within three minutes.

But the travelling fans had to wait until the stroke of half-time to celebrate a goal. Bendtner’s header caused panic in the Newcastle box and as the ball trickled towards the goal-line, Ryan Taylor’s attempted clearance came back off Krul for an own goal.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Walcott raced on to Johan Djourou’s headed clearance and slotted the ball past Krul.

Captain Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to set up Arsenal’s third goal for Bendtner, who beautifully curled the ball home. Walcott wrapped up an impressive 4-0 win late on with his second of the game.