Walcott - Patience is key

Gunners youngster focused on saving 'frustrating' campaign.

Last updated: 23rd February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Walcott - Patience is key

Walcott: Frustrating season

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Arsenal winger Theo Walcott believes he has recovered from the injuries that have blighted his "frustrating" season and insists he will be at his best in time for the World Cup.

The 20-year-old made only his fifth Premier League start in the 2-0 victory against Sunderland on Saturday and knows that he has a long way to go if he is to cement a place in Fabio Capello's squad.

The England manager was at Emirates Stadium to see Walcott help his side to a comfortable win, and looks set for a return to the national side, having been left out of the Under-21 squad that was announced on Monday.

Capello's men face reigning African Cup of Nations champions Egypt in a friendly at Wembley on 3rd March, but Walcott sees any call-up as a bonus as he is focused on playing for Arsenal.

"This season has been the most frustrating in my football career so far - just on, off, on, off, all the time," said Walcott.

"I just need to stay fit now, and if I do, then hopefully I will have a chance of getting on the plane.

"There is a friendly against Egypt on 3rd March, and if I am playing for Arsenal, then of course I would love to be involved."

"I don't think people really realise that you can't be at your best just like that - it takes a few games, and in my case, it has been so frustrating getting injured, coming back, approaching full fitness and then picking up another injury.

"I have lost count of the number of times it has happened.

Pressure

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger claims Walcott is being put under "terrible pressure" to be fully fit in time to have an impact at the finals in South Africa.

Walcott, though, maintained: "I am not looking too far towards the World Cup at all, to be honest.

"I am just concentrating on Arsenal, with all the big games ahead of us, because I have not really featured much for my club this season.

Walcott's return to fitness has been a welcome boost for Capello, after Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon suffered a setback with his groin injury.

However, the Arsenal man - who scored a famous hat-trick in England's qualifying victory in Croatia during September 2008 - is determined to keep himself grounded.

"I am still developing - I am not 21 yet and Thierry Henry did not really come through until he was 23," said Walcott.

"There is still plenty of time for me - I have got the best manager and players around me, and we believe we can win something this year."