Theo Walcott makes bold Arsenal prediction as Gunners return to the top with victory at Wolves

• Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League after beating Wolves 2-0
• Manchester City, however, have a game in hand and the title in their control
• Hope is not lost for Arsenal and it’s wrong for Oleksandr Zinchenko to be a scapegoat: Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

Theo Walcott has made a bold prediction around Arsenal after they returned back to winning ways on Saturday night.

The Gunners moved back to the top of the division with a victory over Wolves on Saturday night, with Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard helping the Gunners to a comfortable-if-uninspiring victory.

Mikel Arteta’s side are now two points ahead of defending champions Manchester City in the race for the title, though have played a game more than their rivals, who were in FA Cup action this weekend.

They are also now three points clear of Liverpool with a better goal difference than Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The title is out of Arsenal’s hands, but moving ahead – at least temporarily – could help put pressure onto City. And Walcott, speaking on Sky Sports, has high hopes for his former side.

‘Yes, I do,’ Walcott said when asked by fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp if he thinks Arsenal will win the league with five wins from their remaining five matches.

‘It’s these games I don’t think you’re going to have to get yourself up for, you’re just made for it. These are players that want to make the difference and to create history and to change that pattern.

‘City, I feel like Brighton and Tottenham, they’ve got a lot to say. Liverpool again, Fulham away, Everton away. There’s some tough fixtures. But Arsenal, I expect them to get the points in those games.’

‘Manchester City are incredible, but they’re not quite the same level,’ Redknapp added. ‘Anything can still happen, like what Manchester City did today by winning that cup game, after the disappointment when they played so well against Real Madrid, was fantastic.

‘I think they showed you everything about that side and the manager and the courage they showed to win that game. But it only takes a slip up. It’s not going to be that easy at this time of the season.’

Arsenal had been ahead in the race, much like last season, but slipped up in losing 2-0 to Aston Villa last week and now find the title out of their hands.

Finding themselves already out of the Champions League and FA Cup, it’s possible they may again end a season that had shown so much promise trophyless.

Next year, however, Redknapp has high expectations. 

‘I think Arsenal win the title next year no matter what happens,’ he said. ‘I think they’ve got the capability. 

‘They’re improving every single year. They’ll add a couple of players in the summer, and I think they’re getting better and better. I don’t care what happens this season, I still think they’ll be my favorites for next season.

‘I don’t think it’s going to be straight forward [this year]. I don’t think it’s going to be a case that Man City are going to win all their games. I just don’t. I think it’s so difficult this league winning points and Man City, as much as I love watching them, they haven’t been at the level that they were last year. But they’re still the best team.’