LONDON, ENGLAND — Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott believes Arsenal have the quality required to retain the Premier League title but has warned that their away performances could become a major obstacle in their title defence.
Mikel Arteta’s side made a strong start to the campaign, winning their opening four league matches before suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Despite the setback, Arsenal remain within three points of league leaders Manchester City, keeping them firmly in the early title race.
Walcott, however, believes Arsenal will need greater consistency away from home if they are to successfully defend their crown.
Walcott Raises Away-Form Concern
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Walcott said Arsenal remain vulnerable when playing away from home.
“They remain a little vulnerable away from home,” the former England international said.
His comments followed Arsenal’s disappointing defeat at Brighton, which exposed some of the difficulties Arteta’s team can face on the road.
Walcott believes the issue is not a lack of quality within the squad but rather the need to adapt effectively to different opponents and match situations.
Tzolis Comes Under Discussion
Walcott also discussed Christos Tzolis and suggested that Arteta may need to consider alternative options in certain away fixtures.
The former Arsenal forward said he likes Tzolis but has not been as impressed with his performances away from home.
“I like Tzolis, but from what I’ve seen away from home, I haven’t been as impressed,” Walcott said.
He suggested that Arteta could benefit from selecting players who offer greater defensive work rate or a different tactical contribution when Arsenal face difficult away assignments.
“Don’t play him, play someone else, play someone who is going to work for the team or do something different,” Walcott added.
Arsenal Have Squad Depth
Despite his concerns, Walcott remains confident in Arsenal’s overall strength.
The former forward believes Arteta has enough options to rotate his squad and change his approach depending on the demands of individual matches.
That depth could become particularly important over a long Premier League campaign, when injuries, fixture congestion and changes in opposition tactics can test even the strongest squads.
Walcott therefore does not view Arsenal’s away form as evidence that the champions lack the quality to challenge for another title. Instead, he sees it as an area that needs improvement.
“I think they are exceptional and I do feel they’ve got everything to retain it,” Walcott said.
Arsenal Prepare For Leeds Test
Arsenal will return to Premier League action after the international break when they face Leeds United.
Leeds have also made a strong start to the campaign, setting up another potentially demanding fixture for Arteta’s side.
For Arsenal, the match will provide an early opportunity to respond to the Brighton defeat and demonstrate whether they can improve their performances away from home.
With Manchester City currently leading the table and Arsenal remaining within three points, the early stages of the title race remain closely contested.
Walcott’s assessment suggests that Arsenal’s ability to collect consistent points on the road could prove important as the season progresses, particularly if the title race remains tight deep into the campaign.
