'I believe the players' - Former Arsenal star names Premier League winner

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has backed the Gunners to recover from their recent setback and remain on course to end their long wait for a Premier League title.

Arsenal suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, despite taking an early lead through a Lisandro Martinez own goal shortly before the half-hour mark.

After falling behind, Manchester United responded with determination, scoring three goals to seal the victory. Standout strikes from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha capped an impressive comeback and continued Michael Carrick’s positive run as interim manager.

The result came on a difficult weekend for Arsenal, as title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa recorded wins over Wolves and Newcastle, respectively, increasing pressure ahead of the Gunners’ next league clash against Leeds United.

Despite the defeat being Arsenal’s third of the league season, Walcott insists there is no cause for alarm.

“The team has lost three matches all season, which is a significant shift considering they were unbeaten for so long,” Walcott told DR Sports.

He acknowledged United’s improvement but refused to use it as an excuse.

He added, “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 also argued that Arsenal’s recent form is being overly scrutinised, noting that every top side experiences difficult moments during a long season.

“People are talking about how Arsenal are having a tough time right now, but it’s just one game,” he said.

The former England international highlighted the competitiveness of the league, pointing out that tough fixtures are inevitable.

“Nottingham Forest were really struggling, and they’re actually in a tough spot. These teams are competitive.”

While acknowledging some frustration among supporters, Walcott urged patience and belief in the current 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 added.

Walcott concluded by expressing confidence that sustained pressure at the top of the table will ultimately bring out the best in the squad.

“I believe the players will begin to feel the effects of that environment as we keep increasing the pressure on them.”