Thursday 29 September 2016 07:08, UK
Theo Walcott's first-half brace that helped beat Basel in the Champions League on Wednesday night shows the Arsenal forward is now "switched on and in the zone", says Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas.
Walcott struck in the seventh and 26th minutes at the Emirates as Arsene Wenger's side eased to a comfortable 2-0 win over the Swiss champions, meaning the England international has now scored five goals in his last seven games for the club.
And former Arsenal striker Nicholas believes Walcott, whose double took his tally of goals at the Emirates to 45, is currently in the middle of one of his occasional purple patches.
"Walcott got two goals to keep his confidence going, pace and power, and he looked really good on the ball again tonight, as though he is just switched on now and is in this zone that he sometimes hits," said Nicholas.
As for the Gunners' overall performance, Nicholas was equally encouraged, with the Scot calling his former side's first-half display "an exhibition".
"It was the same as the weekend, continuing on with that good momentum and fluency in their play," he said. "[Alexis] Sanchez was lively and everyone played well," he said.
There are no more excuses now for Arsenal, they have got a competitive edge within the group, they are talking themselves up, but do they believe they can do it?
"There were times when you expected more - the second half, they eased off in the passing and fluency. Sanchez could still have scored a hat-trick, Walcott came off with about 15 minutes to go, there were a few changes here and there.
"All very good for Arsenal, another clean sheet and they march on, but can they keep it going?
"This whole momentum thing is important to keep advantage of, with Burnley coming up next, so they must be able to go and see the other side of a battle when they are not playing so well.
"But all in all, things are looking promising for Arsenal."
Key to Arsenal's impressive showing against Basel was the introduction of Switzerland international Granit Xhaka in place of the injured Francis Coquelin, according to Nicholas.
"You look at the difference tonight," added Nicholas. "Coquelin is injured so Xhaka comes in, who for me is a better passer of the ball anyway, but he does the other side of the game well too.
"[David] Ospina, we know he chops and changes the two goalkeepers to suit himself, so this is a balance. It was a strong side that he put out, when you look at the subs, it is a strong bench with the likes of [Lucas] Perez and young [Jeff Reine] Adelaide, and there are still guys to come back in who are injured."
However, Nicholas wants Arsenal to now continue their recent impressive performances, starting at Burnley on Super Sunday.
"So it is a strong group and there are no more excuses now for Arsenal, they have got a competitive edge within the group, they are talking themselves up, but do they believe they can do it?
"Prove it, as you have to do your talking on the pitch and that is where it is starting to happen now - and it is certainly more encouraging."
