Walcott - we need more belief

Theo Walcott believes Arsenal are suffering from a 'lack of belief'.

Last Updated: 22/01/13 at 08:41 Post Comment

The Gunners are seven points adrift of fourth-place Spurs (with a game in hand) after their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.

And Walcott thinks the Arsenal squad are talented enough to challenge their rivals, but they need to show more confidence.

He's quoted in The Daily Mirror as saying: "I think there's a lack of belief as to how good we can be. We've got some very, very good players here. I think players don't believe they are good enough at times. But, trust me, I see them every day in training and they should believe that.

"We need to start realising how good we are. We showed some great stuff in the second half at Chelsea but it's time we did that from the start on.

"If we just look at the second half, forget the first half, I think we were too slow, sloppy closing down and we've got to show more commitment. We gave them too much space as well.

"As soon as we pressurised them a bit more, pushed up higher and the manager said if we got that early goal then it would be different.

"It wasn't meant to be, but we gave the manager something to think about and we can't be slow off the blocks like that again.

"We've got a great bunch here, a great manager and he always puts it upon himself which is hard because we are the players out there every week. We try to win for him, we need to win for him because he's been very helpful for us young players coming through."

Walcott also insisted that Arsenal must concentrate on their own game, rather than Tottenham's.

"Last year, we were so many points behind no-one ever thought we would make it. We've got a game in hand but we need to clock up these points fast.

"The gap doesn't worry us. We can't worry about them (Spurs).

"We hope they do drop points, but we've got to concentrate on ourselves, win games - and we've got a big game on Wednesday when we have to pick ourselves up

"We are ready, it's our game in hand, we have to get three points and, no disrespect to West Ham, we should win that game.

"This team is getting better every year. We don't want to be standing still. We need to be right up there at the end of the season, Champions League football and competing as well.

"It means a lot. It's one of the reasons why I decided to stay. I feel we can and should be there. I still think we will (make the top four) and I think we'll be fine.

"The Champions League is massive. I've had so much experience. I'm only 23 and yet I've played so much in the Champions League and not many players my age would have had that experience.

"I know how good it is, I know that the players in our dressing room will get better from playing in the Champions League, playing against the best in the world.

"It turns you into a better player, definitely. You go to different stadiums, you experience that. We went to Schalke recently and I'd already been there from the World Cup 2006 and it's good to go to these places, be prepared. You can't get bigger than the Champions League."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

Footer 365

Alan Pardew confident he will still be Newcastle manager next season

Alan Pardew is 'pretty confident' he will stay as Newcastle manager after ending the season with a defeat by Arsenal.

Michael Owen had mixed emotions after his final appearance for Stoke

Retiring Stoke striker Michael Owen admitted he had mixed emotions after his final appearance for the club.

Premier League: Paul Lambert says 'something is happening' at Aston Villa

Paul Lambert refused to answer questions about the future of Darren Bent following Aston Villa's 2-2 draw at Wigan.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved