Theo Walcott is optimistic about Arsenal’s chances against Manchester City.
The Gunners travel to the league leaders on Sunday afternoon for a game nobody expects them to win.
That’s because of City’s excellent form this season, where they’ve yet to taste defeat in any competition and have scored a tonne of goals.
Walcott, though, believes Arsenal have the quality to trouble City despite their overwhelming goalscoring potential.
“We need to concentrate on our strengths because we are quietly going about our business in the Premier League at this time,” Walcott told Arsenal.com.
“It is going to be the biggest test we have faced this season so far.
“Everyone needs to be ready, it isn’t going to be easy but, without doubt, we have a chance. We have quality throughout this whole squad.
“It is very early days still but they seem to score more goals, but defensively I still feel like we can get at them, they will be worried about us. [Edit – I’m sure they’re quaking in their boots.]
“We need to concentrate on their main threats but you can’t go into a game being afraid of teams because that is a negative straight away. You need to be positive.”
Arsenal’s performances haven’t been anywhere near City’s, but they have put together a decent run of form.
In fact, since that calamitous defeat at Anfield, Arsenal have only lost once in all competitions – the 2-1 defeat at Watford.
In their last seven Premier League matches, Arsenal have won five times.
Manchester City, though, present a much tougher test than anything Arsenal have come up against recently.
The last time Arsenal visited the Etihad Stadium, Walcott gave them an early lead.
However, they didn’t turn up at all for the second half, and goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling turned the game around.
Walcott will surely not be starting this time around, having played against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night.
City, meanwhile, travelled to Naples and defeated Napoli 4-2 in the Champions League.