By Chris Burton Last updated: 6th October 2008
Walcott: More to come
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.
"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."
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."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Barnet vs Arsenal |
| Monday 20th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Lincoln City vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Hannover 96 vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 16:15 | Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 16:15 | Arsenal vs Rangers |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Wigan |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Blackburn |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 10th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 4 Chelsea | |
| Tuesday 5th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 29th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 26th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Tuesday 21st April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 4 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Arsenal 1 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Wednesday 15th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Villarreal | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 7th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Villarreal 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 17th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Arsenal 2 - 1 Hull | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 11th March | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Roma 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 8th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Burnley | |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Birmingham City | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
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