Theo Walcott

LONDON: Arsenal winger Theo Walcott believes they need to find the killer instinct if they are to stay in the title race. The Gunners saw their championship challenge suffer a massive blow after losing 2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Sunday to slip nine points behind the Blues.

Arsenal dominated possession for large proceedings of the game, but they were made to pay for their lack of clinical edge by two Didier Drogba goals. Walcott concedes they need to learn from their mistakes and he is confident the Gunners can still battle their way back into the title race.

"We dominated the game, but Chelsea took their chances and you have got to be decisive," Walcott told his club's website. "We need to learn from that and then push on for the Liverpool game, because if we keep the ball like we did against Chelsea, but create more chances, we can kill anyone.

"However, everyone just remembers the results, and that is what we have to do — win these games and not lie down in the big matches."

Arsenal face Liverpool on Thursday (3.45am) at Emirates and Walcott knows they must bounce back to have any chance of winning the title. "We have to believe we are always in the title race, no matter where we are in the league," he said.

"We would like to have more points than we had from these last few games, but now we just have to get the result against Liverpool. Every Premier League game is hard, and other teams can drop points, but we just need to concentrate on ourselves.

"If we perform like we did at Chelsea, but take our chances, then we can beat anyone on our day."

Walcott made a rare start at Stamford Bridge after an injuryplagued campaign and he is hoping he can hold down a regular place in Arsene Wenger's starting XI for the rest of the season.

"I have been training well and now just want to get back in the first team. The fitness is coming and hopefully if I can turn my training into performances, then I can stay in the starting line-up."