Source: Daily_Mail
Theo Walcott insists Arsenal need to be more aggressive
Toughen up: Theo Walcott has warned team-mates[LNB]Theo Walcott admits Arsenal need to find a ruthless streak and worry less about being standard bearers for the Beautiful Game.[LNB]The Gunners have not won a trophy for five years and finished third in the Barclays Premier League last season after being bullied by Chelsea and Manchester United both home and away last season.[LNB]Arsene Wenger's stylish side are a far cry from the George Graham era when the favourite terrace was 'One-nil to the Ar-sen-al', but Walcott says that it is now time to deliver titles rather than be hung up on playing an easy-on-the-eye passing game.[LNB]'Sometimes within the team we talk about needing to focus more on the result,' he told a Russian newspaper. 'In run-of-the-mill games you see wonderful performances from us, but when it comes to the really big games, we lose. [LNB]'There are times when it is better to win 1-0 and forget about the quality of the game, rather than play elegantly and lose. [LNB]'I don't want to talk about it too much because the main thing is to play rather than talk. But I think we should be more aggressive in matches among the Premier League Big Four.'[LNB]Wenger has added more bite in the shape of imposing centre forward Marouane Chamakh and French centre half Laurent Koscielny, but the manager has again resisted calls to bring in a household name and is calling on youngsters such as Jack Wilshere to step up.[LNB]'Arsene absolutely believes in us, in our ability to progress,' said Walcott. [LNB]'Unfortunately, in the last few seasons, the team has been dogged by injuries and we haven't been able to play our best team very often. [LNB]'This, I think, is one of the main reasons why Arsenal haven't won trophies. We owe the fans titles and playing beautiful football is no longer enough.'[LNB] Better than Messi? Theo Walcott believes Andrey Arshavin (right) is certainly is[LNB]Walcott was no stranger to injuries last season and he will hope team-mate Andrey Arshavin can stay fit to return to the kind of form that so caught the eye when arriving from Zenit St Petersburg almost 18 months ago.[LNB]Arshavin has suffered problem after problem over the last 12 months, but Walcott believes his Russian team-mate is among the best players in the world when on top of his game.[LNB]'Andrey is a fantastic player,' said the 21-year-old England forward. 'You remember the four goals against Liverpool (in April 2009). [LNB]'This was the first time in my life that at Anfield, where every team is under huge pressure, I saw a player score four times. [LNB]'On that night in Liverpool, Andrey was on the same level as (Lionel) Messi and (Wayne) Rooney - and for me they are the two best players in the world. [LNB]'His game is such that it's impossible to just judge him by the amount of goals or assists he gets. He's so unpredictable - he's one of those great players who is capable of making one move that has the whole stadium on their feet. [LNB]'Arshavin is a great artist on the pitch and the team very quickly noticed it. When you train alongside Andrey and you see what he can do, you want to keep up with him.'[LNB] Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reveals he had offers to manage other top clubs over the summer David Stockdale ready to replace Arsenal-bound Mark Schwarzer as Fulham No 1ARSENAL FC
