Walcott: Arsenal still capable of title challenge
Arsenal need to show they are no pushovers and can win the league even without some of their star names.
That is the opinion of Gunners winger Theo Walcott, who played his part in helping Arsenal close the gap on second-placed Manchester United to three points with a game in hand with a 2-1 victory against Liverpool after going behind.
Arsenal are having to cope without star striker Robin van Persie, who is out for around five months with ankle ligament damage. However, Walcott believes his side can still mount a serious Premier League title challenge even without the Dutch forward.
He told the Evening Standard:
“Robin will be an unbelievable miss, but we have got people like Andrey coming in to fill the gaps. He is fantastic as well and will definitely clock up plenty of goals.”
Arsenal will be looking to build on their impressive comeback victory at Anfield on Wednesday when they travel to Turf Moor to play a Burnley side which is tough to beat at home.
Walcott added that a win this week and a victory in their game in hand on their title rivals will go some way to ensuring they are “right in there” at the top of the Premier League come the end of the season.
Arsenal’s striking options have been further hit by the news that Nicklas Bendtner will be out for the entire festive period and is not expected to return from a groin injury until the new year.
His absence could affect the side as they face a run of four Premier League games in the space of two weeks before the end of 2009.
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Theo wants to stop gobbing off and start working at his game, his performances of late (though limited by injury) have not been of a high enough standard to ensure a starting position. In tough games I think AW would prefer Eboue to start and Theo coming on after an hour to inject pace through the right hand side.
Walcott has become as intolerable as Almunia.
As an Arsenal fan, I am fed up with him doing all his talking in the media, and delivering nothing but very poor performances on the pitch.
He is a very weak link in the team; other defenders are not afraid of YOU Theo, they are thrilled when they see your name on the team sheet!
BTW, what is this “We” business, we got better, we came back from 1-0, etc.
YOU did NOTHING till you got substituted mate; you were useless in this game, and I can’t remember the last time you actually had a great game for Arsenal!
Wise up, stop silly acts like giving your girlfriend a Ferrari, and give us Arsenal fan something for all the money you earn, or move on to another club please!
I agree with Alan. He talks to much. Generally, it’s a very stupid thing that football players are expected to give interviews. It’s what they show on the field that matters.
I’d like to see Theo be a sort of right wing version of Overmaars. He’s been unlucky with injuries so I guess it’s one for next season – make or break really.