Theo Walcott: Arsenal ‘deserve’ to be in the Champions League

Theo Walcott claims Arsenal “deserve” to be in the Champions League next season as the race for a top-four finish hots up.

Walcott helped the Gunners keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition alive by scoring an early winner in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Queens Park Rangers.

Arsenal are currently fourth in the table with two games left to play but Chelsea and Tottenham are still vying for a top-four finish.

However, the 24-year-old Walcott feels that Arsene Wenger’s men would fully merit their spot in the Champions League should they secure qualification.

“I really want us to get Champions League football because we deserve it,” said Walcott.

“We have been up and down this season and so have a lot of clubs, but we are getting the points on the board now when it matters.

“Every game this season is very difficult – for example, Tottenham only scored their winner in the last five minutes [against Southampton].

“Every game is tight and everyone is fighting for their lives. We know teams will have to come at us, but we have great strength on the counter-attack and hopefully we can utilise that.”

Arsenal host Wigan Athletic in their next Premier League game on 14 May.