Walcott predicts race for fourth will go the distance

Arsenal were unconvincing in beating Leicester City, but Theo Walcott was delighted with the points as the race for fourth hots up.

Theo Walcott emphasised the importance of Arsenal getting back on track in a race for fourth place in the Premier League that he believes will go down to the wire.

Arsene Wenger’s men suffered a disappointing 2-1 reverse in the north London derby last weekend, with Harry Kane’s double helping Tottenham secure a come-from-behind triumph.

Arsenal set about moving on from that defeat by beating rock-bottom Leicester City 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, with England international Walcot scoring the second shortly before half-time.

That saw Arsenal move fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Southampton and one above Manchester United, both of whom play later on Wednesday.

“I think it [the race for fourth] will be tight,” Walcott said. “I think you can see every year the teams are getting better, who would have thought Southampton would be right up there, considering the players that left this season.

“I think it’s going to go all the way, that’s why it was so crucial to bounce back. The performance wasn’t there but the three points was all we were determined to achieve.”

Arsenal were not at their fluent best against Leicester, but forward Walcott was unconcerned by the manner of their victory.

“After the disappointment of the local derby it’s always nice to get a result,” he added. 

“The performance wasn’t the best at times but we got the three points and we ground it out in the end.

“It was a very scrappy game but three points is crucial now.”