Theo - Why facing Watford is special

 By Lloyd Webb

Theo Walcott thinks facing Watford will be “special” because of the derby atmosphere that surrounds the fixture.

Arsenal will travel a short distance to Vicarage Road on Saturday for their Premier League match against the Hornets.

Walcott believes that local bragging rights are at stake which is an extra incentive for the game against their London Colney neighbours. 

“It is special because the fact that they are so close means you want to reflect on all the other teams near you [and you want to be] the best when it comes down to it,” he said.

“You want to do it for the fans, which is great for them as they don’t have to travel too far. There is always those bragging rights, among fans more so, but the players want to go out every match and perform. These matches give us that extra incentive to do well.

“I remember playing them a few years ago and it is a great place to play football and it is a great club. It will be a tense derby I’m sure and they are very difficult to break down but it will be our job to get three points.”

Walcott is on a hot run of form with three goals in his last five appearances for club and country which he puts down to being in a top physical condition.

“I’m just enjoying my football," he said. "I think you want more games, to be more consistent and I have looked after myself, [and I am in] probably the best shape I have ever been to be honest.

“I think it comes down to that and work ethic. It is not just me, the whole team is working very hard and it reflects on yourself and makes your job so much easier. Everyone is at it, you can go out there thinking, 'you can’t lose to them.’ That is the shape we are in at the moment.”