Arsenal will hope to open their Premier League account today with a win over Fulham. PHOTO: AFP
Theo Walcott believes Arsenal’s midweek Champions League victory over Fenerbahce can help kick-start the troubled club’s Premier League campaign.
England winger Walcott and his team-mates will aim to bounce back after the opening day home defeat to Aston Villa when they travel across London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage today.
The Villa loss triggered a wave of criticism directed towards Gunners boss Arsene Wenger from Arsenal supporters frustrated by his failure to strengthen his squad since the end of last season.
“It was very important after such a disappointing start to the Premier League,” said Walcott. “There was a lot of pressure on us as well and we’re happy we got that clean sheet, which was important.
“We’ve forgotten about the defeat and we’re concentrating on Fulham. And if we perform like that, with that intensity, we can beat anyone.”
Rodgers wary of Villa’s Benteke
Liverpool impressed in their opening day win over Stoke last weekend, but manager Brendan Rodgers is wary of Villa striker Christian Benteke ahead of the sides’ clash today.
“There’s no doubt Benteke is the reference point for the team — the ball goes up to him and he holds it up well. He is big and powerful,” said Rodgers. “I very much expect for them to have a very good season. They are very much a counter-attacking team that set up to defend half a pitch and then break out with the pace of Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2013.
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