Source: Team_Talk
Walcott hungry to take his chance
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott knows he has the world at his feet this season - and does not intend to waste the opportunity.[LNB] The 21-year-old was a controversial omission from Fabio Capello's ill-fated World Cup squad, only to be welcomed back into the England fold following the dismal display in South Africa.[LNB]Walcott produced a stunning individual display with a hat-trick as Barclays Premier League newboys Blackpool were ripped apart 6-0 at Emirates Stadium.[LNB]The former Southampton trainee netted a famous treble for England in their World Cup qualifying victory away to Croatia during September 2008, but has drawn criticism for lacking an end product.[LNB]Walcott has turned all of that into a positive, but knows there is plenty of hard work still ahead.[LNB]"This is the season where I have to push on, so hopefully I will get more opportunities to play," Walcott told BBC Sport.[LNB]"I am 21 and should be playing games every week now.[LNB]"I have had a lot of criticism, but I can take that.[LNB]"It has been very good criticism at times, because it has been an extra boost for me."[LNB]Walcott continued: "Last season I was unlucky with the injuries, but I had a good break during the summer, and just want to show people what I can do, prove a few people wrong, to play well for Arsenal and England.[LNB]"That is all I can do, I will keep my feet on the ground as I always do and look forward to every single game."[LNB]Wenger sees Walcott eventually developing into a central striker's role.[LNB]"What was pleasing with Theo was that he made right decision in final third and was calm in front of goal," said the Arsenal boss.[LNB]"He could finish, but also give final balls. That shows he improves."[LNB]Arsenal briefly topped the fledgling Premier League table on Saturday, before champions Chelsea chalked up their second successive 6-0 victory of the new campaign.[LNB]Wenger said: "We have a big word to say in the championship and want to show that week in week out. We have made a very good start."[LNB]The victory over the Seasiders - who had opened their first top-flight season for 39 years with a remarkable 4-0 win at Wigan - may have ended up being comprehensive, yet the outcome could have been different but for two key moments in the first half.[LNB]Just after Arsenal had taken the lead, the hosts were almost caught cold when full-back Stephen Crainey sent over a deep cross from the left, which dropped to Gary Taylor-Fletcher at the far post, but his downward header was just wide.[LNB]Then, in a decision which baffled Tangerines boss Ian Holloway, referee Mike Jones awarded a penalty when Ian Evatt had fouled Marouane Chamakh - despite the initial contact having been outside the area - and as the last man showed the defender a straight red card.[LNB]Andrey Arshavin crashed in the spot-kick, and from then on it was a case of how many the rampant Gunners would score.[LNB]Walcott added a third five minutes before the break, with a smart turn and finish into the corner, before Abou Diaby swept home a fourth at the start of the second half.[LNB]The England forward completed a first hat-trick for Arsenal with another well-taken goal while summer signing Chamakh, who had missed several chances, headed in a sixth late on after World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas and runner-up Robin van Persie had been eased back into action with a run-out for the final 30 minutes.[LNB]Holloway may continue to lament the referee's decision, but was in awe of Wenger's side.[LNB]"I thought it was a penalty at best, but then to send him off ridiculous - it absolutely ruined game as spectacle, but we would probably have been beaten anyway," said Holloway.[LNB]"After the red card it was then damage limitation, some of the football Arsenal played was world-class and they could have scored more."[LNB]Holloway, though, intends to make the most of the Tangerines hard-earned top-flight adventure.[LNB]"It is a joy for us to be here - we'll have to take a few humblings, but I am not that disappointed to be honest," he said.[LNB]"It is a long hard road, but our lads have to get up and get on with it."