Theo Walcott makes Chelsea title claim and reveals ‘constant surprise’ over Arsenal star

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

Enzo Maresca’s men endured a rocky start to the top-flight campaign after returning from their Club World Cup triumph in the summer, managing only two wins in their opening six matches.

But in 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 potential outsider for the title.

Sunday’s fiery 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, in which Chelsea were reduced to ten 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 better off than Chelsea in second after beating Leeds in a dramatic 3-2 victory at the Etihad on Saturday.

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

But 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 think they are [serious challengers]. However, I do feel that the disciplinary problem is a big problem,’ Walcott said.

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

‘Caicedo will be a massive miss for them. However, I do see them as title challengers.

‘Being at the game, watching it, I’ve never seen Arsenal be so vulnerable and I think the fact they were missing there centre-halves was a big factor and Chelsea played into that really well.

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

According to Walcott, Maresca has done a fine 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 reflection of Arsenal a couple of years ago,’ he added.

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

‘I was thinking, “This place is going to fall down!”, that’s how loud it was. For me, that’s the biggest compliment I can give to Chelsea because, at times, it can be toxic.

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

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

‘Chelsea had so many chances in that first period.

‘Arsenal were let off, however, Chelsea are definitely a problem for Arsenal this year.

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

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

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

‘I do feel like Chelsea have got 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 nice 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 think it’s a nice issue now because it’s an easy option, “Right, Caicedo can’t play for three games now so Enzo Fernandez drops back and Cole, you’re straight back in”, and that’s music to the ears of a lot of Chelsea fans.

‘You forget, they’ve not had him at all and he’s exceptional. I don’t think I’ve seen a better English talent for many years.

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

Arsenal started with Mikel Merino through the middle against Chelsea, with marquee summer signing Viktor Gyokeres having to settle for a place amongst Arteta’s substitutes in west London.

And it was Merino’s towering header that made it all 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 think he would be the one in the big games. There’s just something about Kai Havertz.

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

‘However, Merino is just coming up with some big moments in the big occasions against the biggest teams. Look at Newcastle away. He’s always constantly played that role.’

On Merino, Walcott added: ‘He’s surprised me. He’s surprising me constantly and I think it works.

‘I think Gyokeres is more of a battering ram when it comes to it in those fixtures to really be a game-changer in that sense. I think coming off the bench kind of suits him well in those games personally.

‘I think Mikel loves people that he can trust in the group and Merino is one that just never lets him down.

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

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