Theo Walcott wants the Gunners to get off to a flying start
Posted Thursday, July 11, 2013 by The Sun
TOP GUN ... Theo Walcott has stressed the importance of a strong start to the season
THEO WALCOTT reckons Arsenal can taste Premier League glory — but only if they come out of the blocks with all guns blazing.
Arsene Wenger’s side went 10 games unbeaten at the end of last season to snatch a top-four spot on the final day.
And striker Walcott expects a serious title tilt if Arsenal can kick their recent habit of sluggish starts.
Losing at Tottenham in March left the Gunners seven points behind in the race for fourth.
But an away win over Bayern Munich in their Champions League swansong kick-started the terrific league run that saved their season.
And Walcott believes if Arsenal can recreate that form in the opening months they can finish top.
The 24-year-old England ace said: “It is quite frustrating at times because we should have done that at the start of the season.
“Who knows where we would have been.”
But even finishing fourth comes at a price — a two-legged play-off next month just to reach the Champions League group stage.
And it is poor early-season form that has cost the Gunners dear.
They slumped to 10th last December, then crashed out of the League Cup to Bradford and the FA Cup to Blackburn.
Walcott, who scored 21 goals in all competitions, added: “We must remember those moments and make sure we do it from the start.
“We could be challenging for anything. We could beat anyone.
“We want that sort of fear factor, especially at the Emirates.”
Talk of a title challenge will leave Gunners fans keen for new signings to strengthen the squad.
Especially now that boss Wenger is backed by a reported £75million summer war chest.
France Under-21 striker Yaya Sanogo has already arrived on a free from Auxerre ahead of a tour to Asia. And Liverpool have rejected an initial £30m bid for Luis Suarez.
Any move for Wayne Rooney looks to be off with Manchester United manager David Moyes adamant the hitman is not for sale.
But big-earning Andrey Arshavin is now off the Emirates wage bill, having rejoined Zenit St Petersburg as a free agent.
And Nicklas Bendtner is most likely the next out of the door with German club Eintracht Frankfurt close to a deal.
That could pave the way for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain to arrive, with the North London outfit still negotiating his asking price.
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