Walcott pledges to heed Wengers advice and concentrate on Arsenal
26 Nov 2009 - 01:37:43
Theo Walcott is adamant he will never again give Arsene Wenger a reason to criticise him, after insisting his first priority is Arsenal and not England.
Walcott admitted Wenger's outburst regarding his World Cup chances had come as a surprise.
'The boss is very passionate and he just wants to show everyone that he is not so quiet,' said Walcott. 'He loves his job and he is showing his passion for the game and how well he wants us to do this year.
Focused: Walcott
'The result against Sunderland wasn't the best but we bounced back and got the result we wanted against Standard Liege.'
Walcott was given a 30-minute cameo in the 2-0 win over Liege, whichput Arsenal in the knock-out stages of the Champions League as groupwinners.
Walcott, fit again after damage to a knee, agreed with his manager'sopinion that the only way he can cement his place in Fabio Capello'splans is by doing the business for his club.
He said: 'It's definitely been frustrating. It's been a long timebut hopefully my injury problems are out of the way now and I canconcentrate on playing for Arsenal.
'You want to play well for your country and playing for Arsenal is the best way to get back.'
Walcott is itching for a start in Sunday's home clash with Leagueleaders Chelsea and would relish the opportunity of playing in thecentral striker's role, although that honour is likely to go to Eduardoin the absence of the injured Robin van Persie.
Walcott said: 'It is a shame with Robin because he has done such a tremendous job for us this year.
'We have got great strikers who can come in for him and I am one of a bunch who can do that job.
'I would love to play up front, it was my position, but I'll play anywhere for this club.'
Foot fault: Mangala puts Gibbs out for two months
Wenger is facing a problem at left back, with Kieran Gibbs facingtwo to three months out after surgery on a broken bone in his left footcaused by a nasty tackle from Liege's Eliaquim Mangala.
Gael Clichy is at least two weeks away from recovering from a stressfracture in his back, meaning that the inexperienced Armand Traore islikely to play.
Wenger hopes that William Gallas will be available to face hisformer club after suffering a swollen eye in a clash of heads withteam-mate Andrey Arshavin.
The defender's fitness will be assessed today. Denilson delighted at spectacular return to Arsenal action in Standard Liege winSilvestre praises rise in Standard but warns of complacency in the LeagueARSENAL FC
