By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS
THEO WALCOTT last night hauled boss Arsene Wenger out of jail and roared: “That’s why you must play me up front.”
The Arsenal star netted for the fourth successive match and took his season’s tally to 18 as his side came back from 2-0 down.
Walcott, who has just signed a new three-year contract, said: “You must play to your strengths and if you are against slow centre-backs, play me!
“I think the manager knows what’s best for the team, I do as well.
“Arsene Wenger has shown that faith in me and given me the chance to play up front recently.
“Hopefully I’ve shown him something Arsenal haven’t had in recent years.
“In the long term I want to be a striker but it won’t happen overnight.”
Liverpool fans started the night protesting over the £62 they were forced to cough up to watch this Emirates classic.
But they were soon cheered up as goals from Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson put the visitors in control.
But two goals in three second-half minutes from Olivier Giroud and Walcott hauled Arsenal level.
Wenger said: “We have shown great quality and great spirit.
“Going forward we were outstanding all night and we never gave up.
“But defensively we were too nervous. The recent history causes that, certainly at home in the big games.”
Kop boss Brendan Rodgers said: “It was a wonderful game.
“After being 2-0 up we are bitterly disappointed not to win the game but I am proud of the players.
“They were magnificent but we didn’t keep the two-goal lead long enough.
“Once they got their first goal they had momentum and then Theo Walcott scored a great second goal.
“We could easily have won a game at a place that is difficult to come to — but overall the players worked really hard.”
