England boss Fabio Capello was watching from the Ewood Park stands as the man he surprisingly dumped from South Africa duty built on his hat-trick against Blackpool with another searing first-half strike.

Walcott's angled drive beyond Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson in the 19th minute capped a fine week for the player, who looks set to be named this evening in Capello's squad for the start of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Wenger said: "It looks like he's more confident in his moves forward. Last week he was much more on the ball but what you want from a striker is sometimes you have less opportunities but you are still dangerous and sharp.

"He had a clinical finish and so, while you judge a striker by the number of goals he scores and assists he makes, his numbers were already very good today."

Walcott picked up a fine through-ball from Cesc Fabregas before bearing down on the Blackburn goal from the right and hammering a low shot which literally broke the net, requiring extensive half-time repairs.

The goal paved the way for Wenger's men to maintain their promising start to the season with a rare away win against one of Sam Allardyce's teams who for so long have proved a thorn in the Gunners' side.

And the Gunners did it with Fabregas not entirely firing on all cylinders. The Spaniard, still shrugging off injury, was replaced just past the hour mark by Tomas Rosicky.

Wenger added: "Cesc has shown he is class but, of course, he is not completely there yet. In two weeks he should be ready to play (a whole game)."

The Frenchman was clearly delighted with his side's hard-fought win, which he believes will stand them in good stead for plenty of similar physical tests away from home in the Barclays Premier League this season.

The Gunners boss believes experience made the difference as his side made light of sporadic driving rain to largely control the match, Abou Diaby unlucky not to net the opener on three minutes when his shot deflected against Robinson.

Blackburn were not without threat, with Fabregas heading a Ryan Nelsen effort off the line and Chris Samba heading just over, but Walcott's stunning strike seemed to turn the game in the visitors' favour.

Rovers, who showed enough fortitude to please Allardyce despite it not being enough to prevent a second consecutive defeat, equalised on 26 minutes when the dangerous El-Hadji Diouf crossed for namesake Mame Diouf to slot home.

Both Dioufs posed problems throughout the afternoon and Allardyce believes both the former Bolton man and the striker on loan from Manchester United will play crucial roles in his side's season.

Allardyce said: "Both Dioufs were very lively today. One Diouf is doing better than he's done since he's been with us, creating and causing the opposing defence lots of problems.

"And we've got another who seems to be able to score a goal. Let's hope he continues like that. He got a little tired towards the end because he hasn't had many starts. But it's encouraging and hopefully he can build on that."

Wenger's afternoon was not without its worries, with Robin van Persie hobbling off before half-time with a knee injury which is expected to keep him out of action for up to two weeks.

But after the break the Gunners grew in confidence and regained the lead on 51 minutes when Fabregas' initial effort was blocked in the box and squirted clear for Andrey Arshavin to slot home.

Rovers pressed but Arsenal had the best late chances through Walcott and substitute Jack Wilshere. Capello had long gone by that stage but Walcott's performance will surely stay fresh in his mind.