Chelsea's title bid gets a nudge from Walcott: Arsenal's rival rising, with a touch of humor
2 December 2025
Chelsea’s Challenge to Arsenal: A Quiet Title Tug-of-War
In a recent podcast, Theo Walcott, the former Arsenal and England international, said Chelsea have shown in recent weeks that they are a direct and dangerous challenger for the Premier League crown, turning the club into a real headache for the Gunners this season.
Walcott noted Chelsea’s rebound after a rocky start following the Club World Cup in the United States, pointing out that the side has lost only twice in their recent run and looked a genuine force, as shown by their 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
He added that Chelsea are serious contenders, but discipline remains a concern. Like Arsenal last season, they draw many games and accumulate red cards. They have players who hit the ball hard and face suspensions. Caicedo’s absence would be especially impactful. Still, he sees them as title contenders.
He also praised Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s work in rekindling the atmosphere, saying Chelsea now feels a bit like Arsenal did a couple of years ago when the stadium finally roared. The overall energy at the ground matters most.
Asked whether Chelsea would have won the league if Caicedo had not been sent off, he replied that Chelsea would likely have won easily, with several first-half chances and Arsenal escaping narrowly.
He went on: Chelsea are really a problem for Arsenal this season. They may not win the title, but Arsenal likely will. He warned that Chelsea could slip up against smaller teams, as Sunderland did in another part of the season, noting patterns similar to Arsenal in the past.
Walcott also commented on Arsenal starting with midfielder Mikel Merino as a forward, saying Merino seems more trusted in big games; Havertz is not yet fully ready, while Merino produces moments against big teams, such as on the road at Newcastle, where he tends to be ready for that role.
He concluded that Havertz has signs of big-game potential, but is not ready yet, whereas Merino is delivering in crucial moments.
Punchline 1: If Chelsea’s title bid were a laser pointer, it would still annoy Arsenal fans who can’t seem to aim properly. Punchline 2: Here’s hoping Maresca’s pep talks come with a warranty—the fans deserve a stadium that roars, not a library that yawns.
