Theo Walcott celebrated his goal in the 3-0 demolition of West Ham United as the victory kept them in the race for a top four finish. When the Three Lions forward levelled proceedings in the game against Manchester City on Sunday, he could not afford to celebrate as he knew what was at stake.
On Wednesday it was a different scenario as a confident Gunners squad ran riot over Slaven Bilic’s men. Walcott did not hide or repress his emotions when he grabbed his 19th goal of the season at the Emirates Stadium. His teammates went all out to congratulate him unlike his City goal.
After the match, Walcott credited Mesut Ozil with breaking the tension with his opening goal, which might prove crucial to their run-in – with the games getting more and more intense, and tickets sold out on arsenal.com, you need to click here to see what tickets are available on 1st4footballtickets.com. Fan support might be similarly crucial to Arsenal’s performances.
“We had to get the first goal and when we got the first goal, the nerves went away and then we just relaxed and played our football,” the winger said. He admitted that recent weeks have been “challenging” but added that he hopes the team would be more confident in the next games in a busy month.
“Everyone just needs to remember how good we are as a team, and as individuals. It is coming into motion, you saw some signs against Man City and more against West Ham,” a confident Walcott added.
Arsene Wenger’s comment of how confidence goes quickly but returns slowly comes to fore. The French tactician revealed that Ozil had been “hit hard” by the exit from the Champions League yet again and that his focus was shaken. The former Real Madrid star missed a number of games due to illness, injuries and all that but he returned to the squad for the game against City.
Arsenal played nervously but they were able to get the result they desperately wanted. The confidence gradually returned and West Ham was the scape goat. Chelsea’s victory over Man City and Liverpool’s surprising draw against Bournemouth favours Arsenal as the race for the top four continues.