Champions League: Walcott’s Double Secures Victory For Arsenal

Theo Walcott continued his hot streak with a first-half brace as in-form Arsenal eased to a 2-0 victory over Champions League rivals Basel at the Emirates Stadium.

England international, Walcott headed home Alexis Sanchez’s cross to open the scoring before taking his tally to four goals in three games with a right-footed drive from a tight angle.

A heroic performance from the visiting keeper Vaclik kept things respectable. Two goals from Walcott were the difference. Four points for the Gunners from their opening two games, while Basel have just one.

The Gunners have won all six of their previous encounters with Swiss teams, scoring eight and conceding only once. Basel, meanwhile, before tonight’s match, have lost only one of their last 10 against English opposition – and have never lost in that country in the Champions League.

Arsenal were already riding high after a comprehensive 3-0 win against Chelsea over the weekend that banished a few demons and moved them to third in the Premier League. They also escaped with a point from arguably their most difficult group-stage fixture – a 1-1 draw at PSG.


Basel could only manage a 1-1 draw against Ludogorets in their opening Champions League fixture, and were hoping to avoid falling too far behind before their double header against PSG. That did not happen, no thanks to Theo Walcott.