Walcott backs title claims

Gunners winger bullish after Anfield win

Last updated: 14th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Walcott backs title claims

Walcott: Backing Arsenal's claims

We wanted to give something back to the fans because they were fantastic for us. We believe we can mount a challenge without Robin.

Theo Walcott
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Theo Walcott believes Arsenal can win the Premier League title without Robin van Persie after they came from behind to win 2-1 at Liverpool.

The Gunners were dealt a setback in their bid to win silverware this season after Van Persie sustained a long-term injury while on international duty.

Van Persie suffered ankle ligament damage during Holland's friendly against Italy on 14th November and is expected to be out until April.

Arsenal have returned to form of late after a dip in results following Van Persie's injury and Walcott believes they can finish top of the tree come May without the Dutch star.

Arsene Wenger's side fell behind to Dirk Kuyt's goal before half-time, however, Glen Johnson's own goal and Andrey Arshavin's blistering strike capped a fine turnaround, something Walcott believes highlights their character.

No pushovers

"Results like this show we are no pushovers," Walcott told the Evening Standard. "Being 1-0 down at Anfield, it is a hostile place but we showed great spirit to come back and win.

"We wanted to give something back to the fans because they were fantastic for us. We believe we can mount a challenge without Robin. He is such a big player for us - he has scored so many important goals for us and his stature up front scares defenders.

"He will be an unbelievable miss but we have got people like Andrey coming in to fill the gaps and he is fantastic as well. He will definitely clock up plenty of goals. It is fantastic to see but hopefully we can get our injured players back sooner rather than later.

"It is great to get these three points and gradually get closer to Chelsea and Manchester United.

"We have a game in hand coming up but we must look to Wednesday's game at Burnley now and aim to get the three points and we will be right there at the end of the season."

Special praise

Walcott has also reserved special praise for match-winner Arshavin, who has led the line of late due to injuries to Van Persie and Croatia international Eduardo.

"We have got so many attacking players and Andrey has done it yet again," he continued. "If you put him in those positions, he is always going to put it away.

"He just seems to be relaxed [at Anfield]. There is always a smile on his face when he is playing and to get a goal was very well deserved. You put any goalkeeper in that and he is never going to save that.

"When you play in that central role, you have got to be strong, hold the ball up well and get other players involved. Andrey especially did that in the second half."