Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has claimed that the mental strength among the current crop of players at the club is the best that he has experienced over the last decade.

The Gunners have been questioned over their mental fortitude throughout their 12-year wait for a Premier League title, but are currently well placed to end that drought and find themselves as favourites to win the league this season.

Walcott has no doubt that the summer addition of Petr Cech, who has won four Premier League titles since Arsenal last lifted the trophy, has helped that, and urged his teammates to follow the goalkeeper's lead.

"The mental strength in this dressing room's the strongest it's ever been," Walcott is quoted as saying by PA.

"When you have the likes of Petr Cech coming in, he just enhances that. He's a leader.

"We've just got to look at him because he's obviously been at the top level and won many things. If we all have the belief he's got, we can push on."

Arsenal, who returned to the top of the table with a goalless draw against Stoke City on Sunday, take on Cech's former club Chelsea in their next league outing.