Adebayor stars for Gunners

The 19-year-old Walcott returned to the side after his superb treble for England and set up the opening goal for Robin van Persie in the eighth minute, cutting inside and weaving his way past a couple of players before picking out Van Persie in the penalty area.

The Dutch international showed the deftest of touches to beat goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a shot into the corner, before Adebayor took centre stage to wrap up the win.

Blackburn almost equalised two minutes after the opener, only for Manuel Almunia to show superb reflexes and tip Roque Santa Cruz's effort over the top.

Arsenal were playing well and Van Persie came close to adding to his tally in the 29th minute, but he found the side-netting.

Arsenal did double their advantage in first-half stoppage-time when Adebayor was left unmarked at the back post and took full advantage of the home side's carelessness by heading home his first goal of the Barclays Premier League campaign.

The Arsenal fans were on their feet two minutes into the second half when Walcott skipped away from Ryan Nelsen and stung Robinson's fingers with his shot.

After Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue came close to extending their advantage, Arsenal made it 3-0 in the 81st minute when Steven Warnock was adjudged to have blocked Eboue in the penalty area.

Blackburn protested vigorously but Adebayor remained to cool to score his second goal of the game from the spot and seal an emphatic victory.

And the Togo international completed his hat-trick in stoppage-time with a cool finish after a splendid throughball from substitute Jack Wilshere.