We’re ready for Spurs, says Theo Walcott
THEOWalcott began the verbal sparring ahead of today’s north London derby by ridiculing the suggestion that Tottenham Hotspur had assembled a stronger squad than Arsenal.
Tottenham have never finished higher than Arsenal since Arsene Wenger became manager in 1996 but the clubs were separated by only one point in each of the last two seasons.
Tottenham have also been far more active this summer in the transfer market, breaking their spending record for Paulinho and then Roberto Soldado, while also buying Nacer Chadli and Etienne Capoue.
Although Gareth Bale will almost certainly be sold, Spurs still hope to make another three signings, including Roma forward Erik Lamela and possibly Brazil striker Hulk.
Arsenal have so far signed only Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer but Walcott scoffed at the idea that Spurs’ squad is stronger.
“That’s a silly question,” said Walcott.
“Not at all. I feel we’re very strong. Everyone may say our squad is weak and there are not many of us but I think we showed we bounced back from such a disappointing result in the opening game and proved a lot of people wrong.
“Today’s a massive game, I always enjoy those. The fans make these games very special.
“This is the fixture I always look out for. Tottenham are playing some very good stuff at the moment but I think we are looking very sharp. For the neutral it’s going to be an impressive spectacle.
“Tottenham is a big test, that’s the biggest test. Definitely.
“They’ve invested well. But we need to make sure we focus on ourselves and the way we’re playing at the moment we believe we can beat anyone.
“We don’t care who they’re playing against us, whether they’ve brought in £30-million stars, it doesn’t matter. I’m ready for it.”
After two years dominated by their battle with Tottenham to secure England’s final Champions League place, Walcott believes this should be the season when Arsenal are actually again challenging to win the Premier League rather than worrying about another fight for fourth behind Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
“For the stadium we have, the support we have, the players that are coming in and out, we have to be there,” said Walcott. “We don’t want to be challenging for that fourth spot any more. We want to be challenging for the Premier League. That’s our main goal.
“Champions League and playing against the best players in Europe and you want to be judged on that.
“If you play against the best players you’re only going to improve yourself. I think you can see a lot of improvements this year.”
On the importance of Champions League football for Arsenal, Walcott said: “We don’t really take much notice of it. Arsenal’s a massive club and it’s where we should be.
“We always keep it very tight towards the end of the season and we don’t intend to do that this season.
“We need to go to that next level and compete a bit more. Not to just get into the Champions League but to compete.”
Walcott also had good wishes for Bale, his old room-mate at Southampton, ahead of his £90million move to Real Madrid.
“It looks like it’s going to happen,” said Walcott.
“It will be very odd not seeing him in a Tottenham shirt and playing against him.
“But I’m happy for him and hopefully he can do well if he stays at Spurs or goes.”— © The