Almunia hails new Walcott

Gunners keeper impressed by youngster's new-found belief

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 6th October 2008

Theo Walcott Arsenal 2008 Hull City

Walcott: More to come

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Manuel Almunia believes Theo Walcott has discovered a competitive streak, and is reaping the rewards.

The jet-heeled teenager has established himself as a first team regular with Arsenal this season, while a hat-trick for England in a 4-1 win against Croatia has done his international credentials no harm.

The 19-year-old may have taken his time to fulfil the potential he displayed as a starry-eyed trainee at Southampton, but he is beginning to mature into the world-class performer Arsene Wenger gambled he would become when he paid big-money for raw talent in January 2006.

His continued progression has seen Walcott become a target for football's hatchet men of late, but Alumina feels it is his ability to deal with all that is thrown at him which makes him so special.

Aggressive

"Theo was too nice maybe in the last two years, but this season you can see that when he gets tackled he gets furious, and that shows you he has changed," said the Spanish keeper.

"When he used to take a tackle he did not reply with anything, he did not say anything to the referee or the opposing player. He would get tackled and stay on the floor, and he would never say anything. Now I like him more on the field.

"I try to help everybody who comes to me and Theo is very nice. Sometimes he likes to speak to more experienced players, older players like me.

"I just spoke with him once, I told him he had to be a bit more aggressive and not so nice on the pitch because if people can kill you they will do so."

Exciting

Almunia is also tipping Walcott to become even better in the future as the considerable experience of Wenger and Fabio Capello helps to nurture him into a genuine world force.

"I can only say that Theo is beautiful playing football. To me he is like a machine, it's unbelievable," he added.

"I enjoy it a lot when I see Theo playing in training, and also because he is a very nice guy.

"He is by far the most exciting young English player I have ever seen. His skills are incredible and I am sure that over 100 metres he would get a good time. With the ball also he is very good technically.

"He has a lot of discipline, he is a very complete player. Theo is growing up and I think it's going to be great for England."