Theo Walcott: 'Victory over Manchester United sends out message'

Theo Walcott has claimed that Arsenal's impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester United proves that his side are ready to challenge for the Premier League title.

The Gunners ended a turbulent week on a high note by finding the net three times inside the opening 20 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

United had no response to Arsenal's storming start in North London, which comes just five days after a potentially costly defeat to Olympiacos in the Champions League, and Walcott believes that a message has now been sent out.

"After the Olympiacos disappointment we started this game completely differently," he told Sky Sports News. "We caught them on the break, we maybe eased off in the second half but the clean sheet was crucial for the whole team today.

"This game will send out a message to the Premier League that we are ready to have a go this season."

Arsenal climb above United into second place in the league table heading into the two-week international break.