Theo Walcott credits Petr Cech with transforming Arsenal's defence since arriving from Chelsea

Cech equalled the Premier League clean sheet record with the 2-0 win over Aston Villa

Theo Walcott and Petr Cech (GETTY IMAGES)

Theo Walcott believes Petr Cech has transformed Arsenal's defence after he equalled the Barclays Premier League clean sheet record.

The Gunners' 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday meant Cech has now kept 169 shut outs, level with David James, in the top flight.

Victory took Arsenal top of the table, although Leicester will replace them if they beat Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on Monday evening.

And Walcott said four-time league winner Cech, who signed from Chelsea in the summer, has completely changed the Gunners at the back.

"From when we signed him, we all knew how good he was [after] what he achieved at Chelsea," Walcott told Arsenal Player. "On a personal level, for him it's great.

"He's changed us completely in that back four. He's a talker, he believes in us all.

"That's why he wanted to join us and having that presence behind you is always nice to have. He's very commanding, he's a leader in the dressing room as well, he always likes to talk."

Walcott was brought down by Alan Hutton for Arsenal's opener as Olivier Giroud converted the eighth-minute penalty, before Aaron Ramsey's breakaway goal sealed victory.

Boss Arsene Wenger believes Giroud does not get the credit he deserves after his 50th league goal for the Gunners and Walcott thinks the France international is at the top of his game.

The England international continued: "It's not just his goals, it's his general play and everything about him.

"The way he holds the ball up, he blocks it and defends it, and he works hard from the team from defensive corners and everything.

"He's in great form at the moment. He's a dream to play with and he makes our job a lot easier. As soon as I won the penalty, I just knew that he would score.

"Confidence is streaming through him and you want that in the busy Christmas period. You want players that are on form and he's definitely one of them."

Defeat left Villa bottom and eight points from safety and defender Joleon Lescott admitted they lacked fight to stop Ramsey making it 2-0.

He told the club's official website: "The second goal was disappointing, we look back and there was a lack of desire to get back which is unlike us. I'm sure the manager and players individually and collectively will address that."

PA