Arsenal forward Theo Walcott believes his side's Community Shield win over Chelsea last month will have an effect on today’s game.
Arsene Wenger was winless against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side before last month and many feel Arsenal’s win over the Blues has lifted a mental blockade for the Gunners.
However, Wenger is yet to beat the Chelsea manager in a league match, but Walcott feels the Community Shield win was a big moment for Arsenal.
The forward doesn’t feel that Arsenal’s win last month can be taken lightly as the Gunners still have good memories of beating the Premier League champions in the traditional curtain raiser for the season.
“People say [the win in August] was only the Community Shield, but the Community Shield is a competitive match. It’s always nice to win these big games”, the England international told the club’s official website.
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“You remember what you did right and the positives from the game come out from it. We just need to do the basics again – we need to do the right things with everyone on it and [doing] their job defensively as well.”
Arsenal have conceded just three goals from their opening five games and have kept three clean sheets. Walcott feels that their defensive game will be important in a match where the result could be decided in fine margins.
“We know that we can keep clean sheets. That’s important in the Premier League now and you’ve seen it with our record.
“It will be a tight game, I’m sure, but we need to make sure we take our chances. That’s key.”
Chelsea are in desperate need of points and Mourinho will be hoping to keep his unbeaten run against Wenger going in the league.
