Theo Walcott believes that Arsenal have sent out a message to the rest of the Premier League after their 3-0 victory over Manchester United.
The Gunners hit their brilliant best in the opening twenty minutes of the vital top of the table encounter, stunning their visitors with incisive attacking play to establish an unassailable three goal lead.
Victory over Louis van Gaal’s side moved Arsenal up to second in the table, just two points behind Manchester City and leading United on goal difference, and Walcott believes this result will set a marker in the title race.
“This result especially will send out a message to the Premier League that we are ready to actually have a go this season,” he said. “That desire was there, but we need to show it in every single game now, it can’t just be one offs.
“You could sense by the way we started today, it was going to be a good day.”
Walcott earned praise from his manager for a performance in which he played a crucial role even without scoring. The striker set up Ozil’s goal with a smart pass before playing a vital role in Sanchez’s second.
And the striker was delighted to have played his part in one of Arsenal’s best attacking performances in recent years. He said: “Some of the football we played in the first half was just unbelievable to be involved in.
Player Ratings: Arsenal vs Manchester United
“Maybe we eased off a bit in the second half but to be honest we are always happy with a clean sheet, that is crucial for us as well.
“When we have won games before, we have tended to give away sloppy goals, so it was crucial for the whole team to keep a clean sheet today.”
The striker now heads off to international duty with England. Arsenal’s first game after the international break will come away at Watford before Wenger’s side welcome Bayern Munich to the Emirates.
