Fans loving ‘Arsenal weekend’ after former stars shine across the globe including Sanchez stunner and Walcott heroics

ARSENAL fans found several reasons to smile at the weekend after a group of current and former Gunners produced some moments of magic.

On Saturday, Theo Walcott and Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles both starred for Southampton during their clash with Tottenham.

Pedro Porro opened the scoring for Spurs during the first half, but Che Adams drew the Saints level once again just seconds after the break.

Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic then fired the Lilywhites to a two-goal advantage before Southampton launched a dramatic comeback.

Arsenal legend Walcott netted the fifth goal of the game to make the score 3-2 in the 77th minute.

And in the dying seconds of the match, Maitland-Niles won a penalty which was then converted by James Ward-Prowse.

The heroics from Walcott and Maitland-Niles stopped Tottenham from claiming all three points.

And as a result, Antonio Conte's side failed to leapfrog Manchester United into third.

Arsenal fans were left thrilled and some took to Twitter to react.

One person tweeted: "Good to see Walcott heavily involved along with Maitland Niles."

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Another added: "Walcott & Maitland-Niles dismantling Spurs yesterday was glorious."

A third wrote: "Agents Walcott and Maitland-Niles, well done!"

While a fourth said: "North London is red.....as always. Thank you Agent Walcott and Agent Maitland Niles."

Arsenal icon Alexis Sanchez also rolled back the years when he scored an inch-perfect free kick for Marseille.

In the 16th minute of the Ligue 1 clash with Reims, the forward fired his shot over a six-man wall, on to the post and into Yehvann Diouf's net.

Just 13 minutes later, the Chile international struck again to score the winning goal.

In the same game, Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun scored his 17th goal of the season for Reims.

Fans took to Twitter once again after the game, with one person writing: "Seeing Alexis Sanchez and Balogun on a scoresheet is one heck of enjoyment."

Another added: "Balogun and Sanchez goals! Arsenal’s past and Arsenal’s Future."

While a third joked: "Its Arsenal weekend lol. Walcott and Maitland Niles yesterday, Balogun and Big Sanchez today."

While several ex-Arsenal stars were shining for their respective new clubs, Mikel Arteta's squad earned a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Goals from Granit Xhaka, a Bukayo Saka double and Gabriel Martinelli helped the Gunners to the convincing victory.

The win also saw Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points.