Filed under: Arsenal, Football, England Football
Theo Walcott appears destined to be forever linked with the World Cup and, at least at this stage of his young career, not in a good way.Unexpectedly named in Sven Goran Eriksson's squad for the 2006 World Cup before he had made a single Premier League appearance, the then 17-year-old spent his time in Germany as an interested spectator. Then, four years later, his excitement at that initial call-up was mirrored by the disappointment of being omitted from Fabio Capello's final selection for South Africa.
In between tournaments, the Arsenal winger's talent has flickered only briefly, interspersed with a succession of injuries that have stalled his development.
Little wonder, then, that Walcott is anxious to move on from last summer's painful exclusion and turn his emerging international career into something more meaningful.
Walcott has again been affected by injury this season but his recent form has been much more consistent and his importance to Capello was underlined recently when the England coach confirmed the forward, together with club team-mate Jack Wilshere, were integral to his long-term planning.
Having experienced rejection at the hands of the Italian, that came as a welcome expression of support to the player who is understandably anxious to move on, starting with the upcoming friendly in Denmark.
"It is always nice when you think the manager has faith in you, even though I didn't go to the World Cup," Walcott told a media briefing ahead of the trip to Copenhagen. "I have just been working hard. I needed to have a mental break. It might have done me a favour.
"It is time to take my England career onto the next level. I need to get a goal. I haven't scored since Croatia. It is always nice to get a goal. But it is great to be in a winning team, even if you are not scoring."
The Denmark game offers Walcott another chance to demonstrate he is capable of translating flashes of potential into something more tangible. England certainly need young players of his quality to develop successfully and the fact both Walcott and Wilshere are working under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger is a major benefit.
Playing together at club level clearly helps players make the transition to the international stage and both young Arsenal players possess qualities not readily available elsewhere.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Petr Cech Phil Mickelson Philipp Lahm Rafael Nadal Rafael van der Vaart
No comments:
Post a Comment