London: A stunning first-half hat-trick from Theo Walcott gave Arsenal the perfect Premier League send-off from the Emirates with a 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.


Theo Walcott. Pic/AFP 

It ensured the Gunners would approach a record 19th FA Cup final appearance on Saturday against Aston Villa, who lost 1-0 to relegated Burnley, in confident mood. Walcott may have reached an impasse with the club over the signing of a new contract - his current £100,000-a-week deal expires at the end of the 2015-16 season - but the 26-year-old demonstrated his talent and quality ahead of any summer negotiations with three superbly-taken goals inside the opening 37 minutes.