Source: Team_Talk
Walcott still inspired by Henry
Theo Walcott hopes he can follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry and cement his place as an Arsenal legend.[LNB] Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has tipped the 21-year-old to eventually finish up in a central role, mirroring the successful transition from winger to frontman of Henry, the club's all-time leading scorer with 226 goals.[LNB]England forward Walcott has just returned from a six-week injury lay-off, and took his tally to seven from eight appearances for Arsenal with a fine breakaway goal in the 2-1 midweek Champions League defeat away to Shakhtar Donetsk.[LNB]Walcott - a controversial omission from Fabio Capello's ill-fated World Cup squad - believes he could not have had a better mentor than Henry, who left Arsenal in the summer of 2007 for Barcelona and now plays in the United States with New York Red Bulls.[LNB]"I have watched videos in the past and I had the best thing - training with him and the opportunity to play with him," recalled Walcott.[LNB]"I have not kept in contact with him at all - he has more important things to cope with, but he will always be in my heart. I will always look up to him and you never know, one day he might return to Arsenal.[LNB]"I was lucky enough to learn from him. If he does come back, it would be great for the club."[LNB]Walcott added: "Everyone has talked about us. If I do half it is a great achievement, but I want to be my own player and want to learn from the best."[LNB]Walcott is pressing for a return to the starting XI in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash against Newcastle at Emirates Stadium.[LNB]However, the jet-heeled forward is not about to get hung up on exactly where he will be deployed by Wenger.[LNB]"I will continue to play on the right, but for Arsenal I might get the odd Carling Cup or FA Cup game up front. Only time will tell," he said.[LNB]"I just like playing for this club and whatever position I am happy."[LNB]Walcott has, though, targeted "between 15 and 20" goals.[LNB]"If I stay fit, keep winning, I hope I can reach my target," he said. "That would be a great achievement for me."[LNB]Walcott was criticised by BBC pundit and former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen for not having a "football brain" when analysing his hat-trick against Blackpool earlier in the season.[LNB]Gunners boss Wenger, though, feels the England forward is receiving the benefit of his determination to become the finished article.[LNB]"I believe in his finishing he has improved a lot because the timing of his runs are much better," Wenger said.[LNB]"Overall Theo has improved everywhere - in his finishing, even much more because that's what he prefers to do. I think there is a lot more to come from him."
