Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

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Theo won't curb enthusiasm

19 Sep 2008 - 08:23:24

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Arsenal starlet Theo Walcott insists he won't let the extra attention he is destined to receive from opposition defenders curb the way he plays.

Furious Gunners boss Arsene Wenger accused Dynamo Kyiv of "destroying" the 19-year-old forward during Wednesday's 1-1 Champions League draw in Ukraine.

Walcott was the victim of several uncompromising challenges in Kyiv, but insists that is to be expected following his rise to prominence after his hat-trick for England in last week's 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Croatia.

"It's a nice feeling when a defender is scared of you straight away," he claimed.

"It always puts a smile on your face and you think you're going to win the battle.

"But you have to get at him. I got kicked a few times in Kyiv but I got up and got on with it.

"You have to keep going to the last minute and that's what I did. And thankfully it paid off when we scored in the last few minutes.

"Kiev was a very difficult game, but when you look back at the game I think it was a good result. We've got to be happy with it."