Charlie Nicholas: 'Arsenal will win FA Cup if Theo Walcott starts'

Charlie Nicholas has said that he believes Arsenal will win the FA Cup final against Aston Villa if Theo Walcott features as a central striker.

The 26-year-old played down the middle in the final game of the Premier League season and scored a first-half hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion.

Nicholas has insisted that Arsene Wenger should start Walcott ahead of Olivier Giroud at Wembley, which he believes will be enough to fire the Gunners to victory and convince the England international to sign a new deal at the club.

"If Wenger plays Walcott through the middle then Arsenal win the FA Cup and Theo re-signs for the club, it's that simple," Nicholas told Sky Sports News.

"Giroud has been poor and Wenger has been giving people their opportunities in FA Cup. Now it's Theo's chance.

"He looks sharp and hungry, Wenger has held him back and unleashed him against West Brom. At 26 and fully fit again, Theo is ready to be a top-class player and must start on Saturday."

Arsenal take on Villa on Saturday as they look to win the competition for the second year in a row