Theo Walcott watching Arsenal during a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium
Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has urged calm among Gunners fans, insisting that Arsenal remain firmly on course in their pursuit of a long-awaited Premier League title despite a recent setback.
The North London side suffered a 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, a result that briefly slowed their momentum in an already intense title race. However, Walcott believes the reaction to the loss has been overblown and that Arsenal have both the quality and mentality to respond strongly.
Arsenal had taken the lead shortly before the half-hour mark through a Lisandro Martinez own goal, putting them in control early on. Manchester United, however, staged an impressive comeback under interim manager Michael Carrick, with goals from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha sealing the victory.
The defeat came on a difficult weekend for Arsenal, as Manchester City and Aston Villa both secured wins, increasing pressure ahead of the Gunners’ upcoming league fixture against Leeds United.
Despite the timing of the loss, Walcott remains unconcerned.
Speaking to DR Sports, Walcott stressed that Arsenal’s overall season performance should not be forgotten.
“The team has lost three matches all season, which is a significant shift considering they were unbeaten for so long,” he said.
While acknowledging Manchester United’s improvement, the former England international refused to use it as an excuse.
“It was a completely different Manchester United team, but that’s not an excuse. I wouldn’t be panicking at all, no, because they’ve been in this situation before.”
Walcott believes Arsenal’s recent form is being judged too harshly, noting that difficult moments are unavoidable in a long Premier League campaign.
“People are talking about how Arsenal are having a tough time right now, but it’s just one game,” he explained.
He also highlighted the growing competitiveness across the league.
“Nottingham Forest were really struggling, and they’re actually in a tough spot. These teams are competitive.”
According to Walcott, the narrow margins at the top mean every fixture presents a challenge, regardless of league position.
While acknowledging frustration among sections of the fanbase, Walcott urged patience and faith in Mikel Arteta’s project.
“The frustrating part for Arsenal fans is that they want them to be freer and more expressive at times. I get that. We just have to trust exactly what is happening. It’s fine.”
He concluded by expressing confidence that sustained pressure at the top of the table will ultimately sharpen the squad’s mentality.
“I believe the players will begin to feel the effects of that environment as we keep increasing the pressure on them.”
With only three league defeats all season, Arsenal remain one of the most consistent sides in the Premier League. As the title race intensifies, Walcott’s message is clear: setbacks are part of the journey, not the end of it.
How the Gunners respond in the coming weeks will define their season — but belief, both inside and outside the dressing room, remains strong.
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