Theo Walcott proved just why he is vital to Arsenal with a sparkling performance against Schalke in the Champions League in Germany.
Arsenal have lacked a cutting edge in the past few games, apart from the Reading game of course, with a lack of pace telling in their inability to unlock rival teams' defences.
However, whenever Walcott has started a game for Arsenal, the London side have always looked threatening be it with his ability to run past full backs, or his penchant to make runs behind the defense.
Walcott scored the opening goal for Arsenal in the 2-2 draw against Schalke, and despite giving away a two-goal lead, after Olivier Giroud had also scored, the 23-year-old believes a point against the Germans was a good result.
"Schalke came at us in the second half and we found it difficult to be honest," he told the club's official website. "But we dug deep and before the game we probably would have taken a point.
"When you come to a difficult place with a difficult atmosphere, against a good team who beat us at home, (it was great) to get the two early goals. It is just a shame we couldn't kill it off, but it was a good point in the end.
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny also agreed with Walcott on the point against Schalke being a good one. "It's a good point," the French international said. "We are away so it's a good point against a difficult team. When we went 2-0 (up), I thought we could keep this result. We tried to come back but Schalke are a very good side.
"Now we have two games -- one at home against Montpellier. I think it's very important to win that one.
"It's a very difficult group. Schalke play very well, and you have Olympiacos and Montpellier. It's difficult to qualify. We have the cards in our hands to qualify for the (knockout roundsof the ) Champions League. The game against Montpellier will be crucial."
November will test Arsenal's resolve, with the Gunners hosting Fulham, Tottenham and Montpellier in the next two weeks, before travelling to Aston Villa and Everton, and Walcott believes his side are up for the challenge. "It is going to be a tough month for us now. It is going to test us all, not just physically but mentally as well, and I think we are ready for it," Walcott said.
Walcott's performance against Schalke was even more commendable, after the winger had been a doubtful starter, falling ill a day before the match. "I didn't wake up feeling great (on Monday)," he added. "My voice is coming back now but I didn't have one then at all. But it was nice to be back playing with the guys, that is all I want to be doing now."
