We must step up title challenge next year, says Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott insists Arsenal will have “no excuse” if they do not mount a serious title challenge next year.

Arsenal all but secured third place in the Premier League on Sunday when they drew 1-1 at Manchester United.

The Gunners have had to go through the preliminary stages of the Champions League for three of the last four years, but barring two big losses against Sunderland and West Brom, they will go directly into the group stages next season.