Arsenal can find killer instinct, says Walcott
Arsene Wenger’s young side once again came up short when it really mattered as Chelsea returned to the top of the table following a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, with Didier Drogba scoring both goals.
Afterwards, Wenger congratulated Chelsea on their efficiency, while also taking a sly dig by claiming “we didn’t get a demonstration of football” from Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
The Blues are now nine points ahead of the third-placed Gunners, who had been comprehensively beaten by Manchester United in front of their own fans the previous weekend.
Walcott, making a rare start following a campaign blighted by injury setbacks, believes a clinical edge is all that is missing between the teams at the top – and maintained Arsenal can get it right when Liverpool come to Emirates Stadium tomorrow night.
“We dominated the game, but Chelsea took their chances and you have got to be decisive,” Walcott said.
“We need to learn from that and then push on for the Liverpool game, because if we keep the ball like we did against Chelsea, but create more chances, we can kill anyone.
“However, everyone just remembers the results, and that is what we have to do – win these games and not lie down in the big matches.”
“We have to believe we are always in the title race, no matter where we are in the league.
“If we perform like we did at Chelsea, but take our chances, then we can beat anyone on our day.”
Walcott, 20, has seem his impact limited in what could be a big season for the England forward, with the World Cup in the summer.
“I have been training well and now just want to get back in the first team,” he said. “If I can turn my training into performances, then I can stay in the starting line-up.”
The Gunners may have already been written off as title contenders, but Wenger will take some solace from the way his men responded to a crushing 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea at the end of November by embarking on a 10-match unbeaten run which saw them briefly top the table.
Full-back Gael Clichy echoed the sentiments of the Arsenal boss.
“It is even more complicated now to win the league, but we have to keep fighting until the end,” said the French defender.
“We have seen since the start of the season, everyone can drop points against anyone. “It is not going to be easy, but it is not finished.
“We were 11 points behind and came back so we have to hope they drop points and make sure we don’t drop any points.”
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