Manchester United v Arsenal, Premier League, Old Trafford, 8pm. Live on Sky

Theo Walcott believes Arsenal must play with no fear at Old Trafford tonight if they are to avoid defeat to Manchester United and stay top of the Premier League.

Walcott feels that Arsenal’s rampant away form that has seen them win five of their seven matches on the road will give them the confidence to win at United for the first time since 2006.

“We need to get something at Old Trafford,” said Walcott, who is hoping to start on the right side of Arsenal’s attack tonight.

“We want to stay top now. We’ve been top in previous years but we haven’t quite stayed there. With the new players we’ve got this season in the squad, and not too many injuries, we can do it.

“We’ve got to go and play with no fear, express ourselves and our best performance can come out.

“The way we’ve been playing amazing away from home, we’ve showed we can win anywhere. Our away form and our away support is fantastic.

“We are comfortable away from home. We’ve won well at Manchester City so hopefully we can get another win up there.

“We didn’t pick up points in the big games last season, but this season is much tighter and looks like it could go any way.”

And Walcott warned that while Manchester United are yet to show their best form so far this season, they are still the team who can never be discounted.

“They haven’t lost yet so hopefully we can be the first team to do that,” added the 21-year-old. “We need to get a few points ahead of teams now if we can and they have that game in hand at Blackpool.

“The better team has won in the recent games [against them]. We may play fantastic football but if you don’t put the ball in the back of the net you don’t win, simple as that.

“They are not playing the best at the moment, but they are still there, they have not lost. These are the games that you know United will step up in.”