Theo Walcott makes Chelsea title claim and divulges ‘constant surprise’ over Arsenal star | Football

Theo Walcott says Chelsea have proven they’re a ‘problem’ and pose a major threat to Arsenal’s hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy this season.

Enzo Maresca’s men endured a rocky begin to the top-flight campaign after getting back from their Club World Cup triumph in the summertime, managing only two wins of their opening six matches.

But within the intervening weeks and months, Chelsea have dropped points on just two occasions – against Sunderland and Arsenal – to propel themselves up the table and strengthen their case as a possible outsider for the title.

Sunday’s fiery 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, during which Chelsea were reduced to 10 men following Moises Caicedo’s sending off, leaves the Blues six points off their London rivals in third place.

Manchester City, meanwhile, sit one point higher off than Chelsea in second after beating Leeds in a dramatic 3-2 victory on the Etihad on Saturday.

Reflecting on the weekend’s motion on the It’s Called Soccer podcast, Walcott begrudgingly accepted that Chelsea must now be considered strong contenders for the title.

However the ex-Arsenal and England forward suggested Chelsea’s indiscipline could ultimately cost them come the business end of the season, with Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah and Moises Caicedo all seeing red this term.

‘Yes, I believe they’re [serious challengers]. Nevertheless, I do feel that the disciplinary problem is a giant problem,’ Walcott said.

‘Like Arsenal last yr, they drew too many games and had too many red cards as well. They’d those that were kicking the ball away, they obviously had suspensions.

‘Caicedo shall be a large miss for them. Nevertheless, I do see them as title challengers.

‘Being at the sport, watching it, I’ve never seen Arsenal be so vulnerable and I believe the actual fact they were missing there centre-halves was a giant factor and Chelsea played into that basically well.

‘They really focussed on the weaknesses that Arsenal developed. They caused so many mistakes from Arsenal and that was definitely not normal.’

In line with Walcott, Maresca has done a advantageous job in getting Chelsea fans back on board and the club’s current standing is a ‘reflection’ of where Arsenal were under Mikel Arteta two seasons back.

‘I do really feel, at this moment in time, that Chelsea are a mirrored image of Arsenal a few years ago,’ he added.

‘Having said that, they’ve got a extremely strong base and when I believe of the players, I believe of the fans… the entire place was rocking when Chelsea scored.

‘I used to be pondering, “This place goes to fall down!”, that’s how loud it was. For me, that’s the largest compliment I may give to Chelsea because, at times, it will possibly be toxic.

‘That’s what you want to start with: get the fans on board and all the things else sorts itself out.’

Asked whether Chelsea would have beaten Arsenal had Caicedo remained on the pitch, Walcott replied: ‘Yes, I believe they’d have and quite comfortably, I actually do.

‘Chelsea had so many probabilities in that first period.

‘Arsenal were let off, nonetheless, Chelsea are definitely an issue for Arsenal this yr.

‘They won’t win, though! Arsenal will win it this yr.’

Walcott has been mightily impressed by Chelsea’s recent form but thinks Maresca’s side could slip up again, just as they did at home to Sunderland in October.

‘I believe Chelsea have a Sunderland at home in them again,’ the two-time FA Cup winner went on.

‘Sunderland have been good but, within the technically smaller games, Chelsea may slip in that sense.

‘I do feel like Chelsea have gotten that in them occasionally to be honest and Arsenal had that. You see similar patterns with Chelsea and Arsenal.’

Facing the media on Tuesday morning, Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer was back in contention for a starting role in Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Leeds.

And with competition for places already rife in Chelsea’s squad, Walcott believes the ‘exceptional forward’s impending return is a ‘nice problem’ for the Blues.

‘It’s a pleasant problem to have because Cole Palmer didn’t play, he didn’t feature,’ Walcott continued.

‘He was never going to feature as soon as they’re holding on with ten men.

‘But I believe it’s a pleasant issue now since it’s a simple option, “Right, Caicedo can’t play for 3 games now so Enzo Fernandez drops back and Cole, you’re straight back in”, and that’s music to the ears of a whole lot of Chelsea fans.

‘You forget, they’ve not had him in any respect and he’s exceptional. I don’t think I’ve seen a greater English talent for a few years.

‘He just excites me, he excites everyone. It’s great to see.’

Arsenal began with Mikel Merino through the center against Chelsea, with marquee summer signing Viktor Gyokeres having to accept a spot amongst Arteta’s substitutes in west London.

And it was Merino’s towering header that made all of it square for the visitors just before the hour-mark – the Spaniard’s fourth goal of the campaign in all competitions.

‘I feel like Merino is more trusted in these big games, he’s got more experience,’ Walcott said of Arsenal’s makeshift centre-forward.

‘If Kai Havertz was fit and firing as well, I believe he could be the one in the massive games. There’s just something about Kai Havertz.

‘But Havertz is clearly not going to be fit enough and I don’t think you possibly can really expect anything of him this yr.

‘Nevertheless, Merino is just coming up with some big moments in the massive occasions against the largest teams. Have a look at Newcastle away. He’s all the time continually played that role.’

On Merino, Walcott added: ‘He’s surprised me. He’s surprising me continually and I believe it really works.

‘I believe Gyokeres is more of a battering ram on the subject of it in those fixtures to actually be a game-changer in that sense. I believe coming off the bench sort of suits him well in those games personally.

‘I believe Mikel loves those that he can trust within the group and Merino is one which just never lets him down.

‘The way in which he’s modified Kai Havertz right into a No.9, he’s modified Merino right into a forward. I don’t really see him being a midfield player anymore, that’s not his first position.’

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