Walcott reveals frustrations

But England hopeful insists there is more to come

By James Riach   Last updated: 15th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Walcott reveals frustrations

Walcott: Reveals frustrations

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott has revealed his frustration at the injury setbacks that have hampered his form.

The England international, who turns 21 on Tuesday, has been tipped to make Fabio Capello's squad for this summer's World Cup.

But the pacy Gunners youngster has admitted he has not been on top form because of a number of injuries, and he has received criticism for not progressing from certain quarters.

He now hopes to have a prolonged run in the Arsenal side as the countdown to South Africa continues, with competition for a place in the 23-man squad extremely fierce.

"I have had so many injuries this season, people don't realise how hard it is to come back from setback after setback after setback," he said.

"You can't be at your best straight away and if you think you can, then you put more pressure on yourself. That's what I had been doing this season.

"The best thing is I do know what's going on on the outside, but I don't listen to it, I only listen to people around me.

"It's doesn't bother me whatsoever. Maybe if I keep performing like I have it will shut people up."

Walcott was a shock inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the 2006 World Cup, although he did not make an appearance in Germany.

He scored a hat-trick during the qualifying campaign under Capello in Croatia, but his injuries left him as a bystander for much of the quest to get to South Africa.

Developed

However, he thinks that he has matured and developed and insists there is more to come.

He added: "My development has gone very well. I am only 20 still and I have been in the limelight all the time.

"As a young player you normally do your development in the background and build yourself up, but the World Cup 2006 call-up shot the pressure on me straight away.

"The thing is I am always the country's biggest hope or the country's biggest disappointment, and I think I dealt with that quite well.

"Now I have had experience, I played in the Under 21s and played in the Premier League.

"There is definitely more to come from me, but those experiences will now move me on to great things."

Post to your View!

Be the first to post a comment on this story

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private