Walcott's England ambition
Wednesday, 20 August, 2008
Theo Walcott says that he is hoping to break into the England team this season.
England v Czech Republic
Wednesday 20 August 2008
Wembley Stadium
Kick-off 8pm
Click here for ticket details
As he prepares with the England senior squad for their friendly with Czech Republic, Theo Walcott says that his aim this season is to play in every game for Arsenal and break into the national team.
Having won his first cap for the Three Lions two years ago, becoming the youngest player for England in the process, Walcott earned his second cap in June of this year against Trinidad and Tobago. The Arsenal forward has remained with the senior squad and wants to break into the team this season.
Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Walcott said: "It only feels like it was a few weeks ago I was in Trinidad to be honest.
"I really enjoyed being out there and to get a run out for 20 minutes was great. I really enjoyed it and it shows the hard work I've put in.
"My target this season is to start every single game I can. My main aim from the summer was to start the first game of the season (for Arsenal), and I've done that. Hopefully I can keep my position and play well, score 15 goals and get 15 assists - that's quite a good way to come back, and hopefully I can break into the England team as well."
With the competitive games not far away for Fabio Capello's England, Walcott says that the players have been focused on treating every match as a Cup final.
Walcott said: "We have had meetings about it to try and get it into our heads that every game is a Cup final with England, there are no friendlies. We've got to go out there and play well, win the game and take that into the qualifiers. We have to gel as a team and that's what we can achieve in these games, playing with a good tempo."
Having been part of the England squad at the World Cup in Germany two years ago, Walcott had to watch this summer's European Championship finals on television - and admits he was disappointed that England were absent from the tournament.
"It was a shame that we couldn't be there," Walcott explained. "The World Cup hit me straight away, being in front of big crowds and I wasn't used to it at all.
"Watching the Euros on TV I thought it would have been great to be there, and having been to a World Cup I know what to expect.
"I said right from the start that Spain would win it, and they did. Cesc, who was brilliant throughout the tournament and did really well for them, he was buzzing when he came back to Arsenal.
"It's always good to have a trophy-winner coming back into the changing room and it gets everyone on a high. To see his face when he came back to training for the first time, just shows what a big player he is and what he did for Spain."
Another tournament that has caught Walcott's eye is the Olympics, and with Great Britain enjoying their best games in over a century the fleet-footed forward admits he has taken a keen interest.
Walcott said: "I've been able to watch the odd event here and there between training, the main thing I love to watch is 100 metres and 200 metres.
"They're my main ones to watch and having just seen Usain Bolt - he's just unbelievable really. Jamo was saying 'he's quicker than you!', just messing around. But Britain have done really well out there.
"I loved the 100 metres, back at school in year nine when I think I was 14 I ran it in 11.5 seconds, but now I haven't done it since. I don't know why because I always get asked what my time is, I really need to do it and I keep putting it off."
Having won his first cap for the Three Lions two years ago, becoming the youngest player for England in the process, Walcott earned his second cap in June of this year against Trinidad and Tobago. The Arsenal forward has remained with the senior squad and wants to break into the team this season.Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Walcott said: "It only feels like it was a few weeks ago I was in Trinidad to be honest. "I really enjoyed being out there and to get a run out for 20 minutes was great. I really enjoyed it and it shows the hard work I've put in."My target this season is to start every single game I can. My main aim from the summer was to start the first game of the season (for Arsenal), and I've done that. Hopefully I can keep my position and play well, score 15 goals and get 15 assists - that's quite a good way to come back, and hopefully I can break into the England team as well."With the competitive games not far away for Fabio Capello's England, Walcott says that the players have been focused on treating every match as a Cup final.Walcott said: "We have had meetings about it to try and get it into our heads that every game is a Cup final with England, there are no friendlies. We've got to go out there and play well, win the game and take that into the qualifiers. We have to gel as a team and that's what we can achieve in these games, playing with a good tempo."Having been part of the England squad at the World Cup in Germany two years ago, Walcott had to watch this summer's European Championship finals on television - and admits he was disappointed that England were absent from the tournament."It was a shame that we couldn't be there," Walcott explained. "The World Cup hit me straight away, being in front of big crowds and I wasn't used to it at all. "Watching the Euros on TV I thought it would have been great to be there, and having been to a World Cup I know what to expect. "I said right from the start that Spain would win it, and they did. Cesc, who was brilliant throughout the tournament and did really well for them, he was buzzing when he came back to Arsenal. "It's always good to have a trophy-winner coming back into the changing room and it gets everyone on a high. To see his face when he came back to training for the first time, just shows what a big player he is and what he did for Spain."Another tournament that has caught Walcott's eye is the Olympics, and with Great Britain enjoying their best games in over a century the fleet-footed forward admits he has taken a keen interest.Walcott said: "I've been able to watch the odd event here and there between training, the main thing I love to watch is 100 metres and 200 metres. "They're my main ones to watch and having just seen Usain Bolt - he's just unbelievable really. Jamo was saying 'he's quicker than you!', just messing around. But Britain have done really well out there."I loved the 100 metres, back at school in year nine when I think I was 14 I ran it in 11.5 seconds, but now I haven't done it since. I don't know why because I always get asked what my time is, I really need to do it and I keep putting it off."