Theo Walcott claims he can fill the void left by Olivier Giroud and is urging Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to play him as a central striker as the club bid to secure Champions League football next season.

Giroud served the first game of a three-match suspension as Arsenal drew 1-1 against Manchester United last Sunday.

Lukas Podolski was the focal point of Arsenal’s attack against the Premier League champions. He struggled to make a significant impact, while Walcott scored with a clinical finish after darting in from the right flank to collect Tomas Rosicky’s pass.

Although television replays showed the goal should have been ruled out for offside, it was nevertheless another reminder of how much Walcott (above) has improved during a season in which he had a flurry of games as a centre-forward.

Cynics viewed Walcott’s period as the main man up front as a concession from Wenger to ensure the player signed a new contract with the club, which he did in January, as revealed by Standard Sport.

But both Wenger and Walcott insist his long-term future will be as a central striker and the 24-year-old England star believes he should start in that role now, with games against Queens Park Rangers and Wigan to come before Giroud’s return. “I played a few games there and I would like a few more towards the end of the season,” said Walcott, who has scored 19 goals during the campaign. “I got a lot of my goals when playing up front, so I have shown what I can do and it is up to the manager to do what he sees is best.

“I am sure another chance will come. I set a 20-goal target for the season but the biggest goal for me is to help Arsenal finish third or fourth.”

Arsenal are in fourth place, just two points ahead of Tottenham, who have a game in hand. The Gunners have the best away record in the division but have kept only three clean sheets in the League since February 9 and Walcott believes they must close out matches more effectively to ensure they reach the Champions League for the 16th straight season.

He said: “What it comes down to is that if you keep clean sheets, you are going to win games. In recent years we may have faded slightly at the end of games, with the pressure of being 1-0 up, but everyone here is very focused on doing their jobs correctly.

“If we all work hard for each other, then good things should follow.”

Meanwhile, Wenger revealed there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's trip to QPR.

Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is still missing with a rib problem but Wenger said: "From next week onwards, he should be alright."