theo walcott

Arsenal's Theo Walcott 'distraught' at new injury

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:50:00 +0700

Arsene Wenger said Theo Walcott was "completely distraught" and "shocked" as he awaited the outcome on Saturday of a scan on a mystery knee injury suffered after training on Friday.

After returning earlier this month following three months out with a shoulder injury, the England winger faces the prospect of another five weeks out.

And Wenger admitted he was equally perplexed by another potentially serious injury to be suffered by one of his key players. Wenger, also without Emmanuel Adebayor, Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas at Newcastle on Saturday evening said: "I am distraught and he is completely distraught.

"He was walking off the pitch and he felt his right knee lock up and it started to swell. He is strong mentally. But I found him really shocked and we're a bit surprised and worried because he was in very good form coming back. That's very bad news for us. If it is a cartilage, he will be out three weeks minimum, five to play, that means the beginning of May."

Walcott, who faces the prospect of missing the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea as well as the Champions League quarter-final against Villarreal, damaged his shoulder on England duty in November and returned only this month as a substitute against Burnley in the Cup.

Following another appearance off the bench, in the penalty shoot-out victory in Rome, he started for the first time in last Saturday's 4-0 win over Blackburn, and kept his place in Tuesday's FA Cup win over Hull.

"He gives us qualities that are different from other players," admitted Wenger. "He's direct, and he has the timing to go behind [players]. He is an interesting quality in the team and when you play from one second to the next you are on the other side of the pitch with him, so it is a loss."

Fabregas is also missing tonight but the captain will continue to support his team-mates from behind the bench despite the controversy surrounding him and allegations that he spat at the feet of Brian Horton, Hull's assistant manager, on Tuesday.

Wenger said: "I will not change anything. Why? You want the team spirit, you want the players to be together, you want the players who do not play to be happy, as well, and to share it with the players who played.

"He's the club captain, he denies categorically the incident, we are open to any inquiry, what can I say more?"

Arsenal are fourth and unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games and Wenger believes they can maintain their progress: "I'm confident, of course, but we know what has changed in two weeks. We go to Newcastle who are fighting to stay in the Premier League.

"Our only advantage is that we have prepared ourselves mentally to give absolutely everything in every game. The hunger, spirit and desire is there." (telegraph)

Arsenal's Theo Walcott suffers injury setback

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:36:00 +0700

Theo Walcott is out of Arsenal's trip to Newcastle this weekend after locking his knee during Arsenal training. He will also miss England's Under-21s game against Norway in a friendly.

The England winger, 20 on Monday, has just returned from three months out with a shoulder injury. But Wenger said: “The bad news for us is that Walcott got injured today in training.

“He has a scan on his knee today. We are a bit surprised and worried. He was in good form coming back.

“I won’t say he’s out for the season but he’s out of our game at Newcastle and for England. He will have a scan and we will know more later about how long he will be out.”

It is a massive blow for Arsenal who have suffered from a succession of injuries this season, with the news clouding the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, which acted favourably for Arsenal, with a tie against the Spaniards of Villarreal.

Arsenal met Villarreal on their way to the final, in 2006, beating them 1-0 over two-legs in the semi-final before losing to fellow Spaniards Barcelona in the final in Spain.

Of the draw Wenger said: “It’s 50 50; Villarreal we know, maybe it’s good to play the first leg away from home but it will depend on the quality of our performance and who is available, because many players go away on international duty and we don’t know how they come back.”

Regarding another quarter-final, that pits Chelsea and Liverpool together for the fourth year in succession, Wenger added: “Chelsea and Liverpool is 50-50 as well. It’s down to one goal or half a goal sometimes, so it is very open.”

Regarding the alleged incident involving captain Cesc Fabregas and Brian Horton, the Hull assistant manager on Monday, Wenger was still firmly behind his player today. Hull manager Phil Brown claimed Fabregas, recovering from injury, spat at the feet of Horton.

“I have spoken to Cesc and he denies categorically what has been asserted by Hull and we are open to any investigation from the FA and will co-operate fully.” (telegraph)

Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon named in England Under-21 squad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:30:00 +0700

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott and Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon have both been named in England's Under-21 squad for the friendly double header against Norway and France during the next international break.

Walcott, who is established in Fabio Capello's senior squad, has only just recovered from a shoulder injury picked up with the full team in November.

The 20-year-old could still be called up for senior duty, as happened with James Milner for the recent Spain trip after initially being named in Stuart Pearce's squad.

Capello's team have a friendly against Slovakia on Saturday, March 28 and a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine the following Wednesday, with Pearce's youngsters playing the day before each game.

Milner is also in Pearce's squad, who travel to face Norway in Sandefjord before playing France at Nottingham Forest's City Ground.

Joe Hart, Michael Mancienne, Micah Richards and David Wheater are also included along with Lennon, who has been in impressive form for Tottenham and had been widely expected to be handed a senior call-up.

Everton youngster Jack Rodwell is also selected.

"We wanted to take on a Scandinavian side as we've got Finland in the European Championships so Norway was a good option," Pearce said.

"On top of that we wanted another 'A-line' nation that hadn't reached the finals and they don't come much better than France, so it's a fantastic game for us.

"The two games will give us a full 10 days to work together. We can work on various things, both in the games and on the training pitch.

"It's not often you get the chance to have that length of time with the players and it'll be a vital period to prepare for the summer." (telegraph)

Arsenal confirm compensation claim for Walcott's England duty shoulder injury

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:25:00 +0700

Arsenal have confirmed they will demand compensation from the FA's insurers after Theo Walcott picked up an injury on international duty with England.

The winger is expected to be out for three months after dislocating his right shoulder in training on the eve of England's 2-1 friendly win over Germany in Berlin.

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: 'There should be compensation of course.'

Under the FA's insurance plan, the Barclays Premier League club would be eligible to claim up to £1.1million to cover Walcott's wages if he was to be out for 12 weeks.

The FA's insurers will pay up to £100,000 per week but will only cover his wages.

Under the FA's insurance deal, Arsenal can claim Walcott's wages up to a maximum of £50,000 for the first two weeks that he is absent, and £100,000 per week thereafter up to a maximum period of almost two years.

Earlier this week, an FA spokesman said: 'The FA is one of only a handful of national associations who voluntarily insure our players against injury while on international duty. Almost all foreign international players who play for English clubs will not have been insured in this way.' (dailymail)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:25:00 +0700

Arsenal's Theo Walcott faces shoulder surgery after injury on England duty

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:40:00 +0700

The Arsenal winger returned to London on Wednesday morning from England’s base in Berlin and immediately had a scan after being assessed by the club’s medical staff.

His shoulder was said to feel stiff and he saw a specialist last night to discuss whether to have surgery.

There was a strong feeling that an operation was the best course of action, given the potential for recurring dislocations. He is now expected to go under the knife within the next 48 hours and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday night he expected the player to be out for three months.

Walcott’s injury is to his right shoulder, but he has also had surgery on his left, and there is an acceptance that there has been a weakness in that area of his body.

Previously, he attempted to continue playing through the pain of successive dislocations, after suffering the initial problem way back in 2005 when Portsmouth defender Linvoy Primus landed on top of him during a reserve team game for Southampton.

The 19-year-old had a separation of his collarbone and left shoulder and had an operation to correct the hereditary problem last year. His left shoulder became dislocated as many as 20 times before it was decided to undergo surgery, but since then it has given him no problems.

There is, therefore, confidence that surgery on his right shoulder would also cure the problem, with a feeling that it might be better to have the problem dealt with as soon as possible. Earlier this month Walcott was taken off on a stretcher during Arsenal’s defeat at Stoke following a heavy fall.

Walcott, though, will digest all the medical advice before making a final decision.

The dislocation to his right shoulder was suffered after a challenge from Scott Parker in the dying minutes of England’s training session on Tuesday, ahead of the team's friendly with Germany.

Walcott’s absence will leave Wenger’s squad threadbare at a crucial point in their season. Bacary Sagna, Emmanuel Eboue, Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky are all on the treatment table for varying lengths of time. Given the comparatively small squad of senior players at the Emirates, adding Walcott to that list will be a heavy blow.

With a faltering Premier League title challenge to sustain and their place in the last 16 of the Champions League still far from certain, Wenger now faces a test of the faith he has in his fabled youngsters.

Only Samir Nasri of Arsenal’s first choice wide players is fit, meaning Wenger would have to consider throwin either Abou Diaby or Alex Song in as replacements. Alternatively he could give a starting role to Aaron Ramsey, the 18-year-old Welshman, or Jack Wilshere, the prodigy two years his junior who has done so well in the Carling Cup for the club.

The better news for England regarding Walcott is that the next game is not until a friendly in February followed by competitive matches in April and June against Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

What is a dislocated shoulder?

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint prone to instability, and it poses a particular concern for Theo Walcott, who has a hereditary problem. He dislocated his right shoulder in training in Berlin, but also had to have his left shoulder pinned in 2007. When he fell on it in the recent game at Stoke, he suffered spasms.

When the shoulder is rotated outwards – cocking your arm back – any extra force, such as the fall suffered by Walcott, can pop the humerus bone out of the joint. This is known as anterior dislocation.

How do you fix it?

As was the case with Walcott, a doctor must put the joint back into place immediately. The shoulder should then be immobilised in a sling for two to three weeks before a period of physiotherapy to build strength in the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder. Doctors recommend sporting activity should be avoided for around six weeks to allow the injury time to heal.

Why does it take so long to heal?

The bone might go back in immediately but the ligaments around the bone are normally torn, while the shoulder cartilage and the fibrous capsule enclosing the joint could also be damaged. Recurring dislocations are likely because these structures, once damaged, never regain their original strength. Surgery is normally recommended after four dislocations.

Arsenal to open contract talks with Theo Walcott over £3m-a-year contract

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:49:00 +0700

Anxious to keep his blossoming prodigy, manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly prepared to double Walcott's salary to £60,000-a-week, say the News of the World, as interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid continues to grow.

With only 18 months left on his contract it is likely a deal will be fast-tracked, but with Walcott admitting he is happy where he is, Wenger will not be too concerned about the 19-year-old jumping ship.

Walcott signed for Arsenal in 2006 from Southampton with a price tag of £12m and the last few months have seen him transform into one of the club's star assets.

Aside from his remarkable performances for Arsenal, he also turned heads when he became England's youngest international to score a hat-trick in their 2010 World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

Further good news for Arsenal and Wenger is that Robin van Persie looks likely to rebuff interest from Italy in order to pledge his future to the club.

The Dutchman is said to want his salary doubled to £80,000-a-week. Van Persie joined Arsenal in a £3m deal back in 2004 and has scored 33 goals in 97 appearances for the club.(Telegraph)

Theo Walcott and William Gallas fit to give underdogs some bite

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 05:53:00 +0700

Bookmakers rate Manchester United as the favourites and that startling fact could act as a damning indictment of Arsenal’s season. Yet Wenger yesterday claimed his team had become victims of their own success, despite a lack of silverware in the previous three seasons.

Arsenal are fourth in the Premier League, six points off the lead, and remain in a commanding position in the Champions League. However, a team rated as one of the favourites to wrest the title off United at the start of the campaign have already lost three League games and a fourth defeat could see the gap between Arsenal and the top extended to nine points.

At this stage last season, Arsenal were level on points at the top, with a game in hand, and they led the table for most of the campaign.

After training, Wenger was without five players through injury, another suspended, and with doubts hanging over a further four. William Gallas and Theo Walcott are set to return to give Arsenal a boost, as should Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia, but Mikael Silvestre, who broke his nose against Fenerbahce on Wednesday, will feature only in an emergency.

“The level of expectation is so high,” claimed Wenger. “We are top of our group in the Champions League – which is a disaster when you read the press in the morning. I find because of that level of expectation the pressure is very high.

“We have to rise above that and be guided more by what we want to achieve and how we want to play football rather than by people wanting immediate perfection.”

Wenger insisted he listened to criticism that Arsenal were suffering from their policy of encouraging youth ahead of experience.

“I listen to things,” he said. “I do not want to be the one who knows absolutely everything and nobody else knows. But I also have some principles I know are right because they work.”

Wenger added: “We have the talent because the players care, they are passionate about what they do and about improving.”

For possibly the first time in his 12-year reign, there is a small section questioning Wenger, but has he earned the right to leave on his own terms?

“I have earned no right, I have earned the right to give my maximum every day,” he added. “I have shown my commitment to the club since I have been here and kept my faith. I always have one interest and that is what is best for the club.”

Theo Walcott adds to Arsene Wenger's woes after Arsenal's dismal defeat to Stoke City

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 09:58:00 +0700

Not only did they lose 2-1 at Stoke, rather confirming Abdoulaye Faye’s claim that they do not relish a physical battle, but they lost Robin van Persie to a red card and forwards Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott to injuries. Walcott is a particular concern, after being carried off with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder.

Their lack of height at the back has become a glaring flaw, and was predictably exposed by the long throws of Rory Delap. Ricardo Fuller and Seyi Olofinjana both capitalised from the Republic of Ireland international’s deliveries. Gael Clichy pulled one back in injury-time.

“People who love the traditional English game must be very happy because they got what they like,” said the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “It was a traditional English game with a lot of fight and commitment on one side and Stoke deserved to win.”

Manchester United climbed to third with a 4-3 victory over Hull that was far more emphatic than the scoreline may suggest. Dimitar Berbatov laid on the first two goals and as the Bulgarian settles increasingly impressively into life at Old Trafford, each passing week must rub further salt into Daniel Levy’s wounds.

The Tottenham chairman this week hit out at the player he sold for £30.75 million on deadline day, accusing him of effectively going on strike by refusing to play against Sunderland and Chelsea.

Levy claimed that Berbatov had been agitating for a move to Old Trafford for a year, growing more militant as the transfer deadline approached. “I don’t think he treated the club with the respect it honestly deserved,” Levy said. “We put him on the map. He’s an outstanding player. He signed a long-term contract with this club and I think he should have stayed. He kept on about how it was his ambition to play for Manchester United.”

Robin van Persie is sent off and Theo Walcott injured

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 2 Nov 2008 09:55:00 +0700

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has claimed that the hype over throw-in specialist Rory Delap was beginning to strike fear into the hearts of the opposing teams after Arsenal were undone by two of the Irishman’s long-range missiles on Saturday afternoon.

Delap’s throws, which led directly to goals from Ricardo Fuller and Seyi Olofinjana, caused panic in the Arsenal defence, exposing many of the fault-lines that were revealed in their 4-4 draw with Tottenham in midweek, and Pulis is convinced their problems were as much psychological as tactical.

“He throws it very flat and it is very difficult for defenders to pick the ball up but I think the media has helped by giving it so much publicity,” he said. “I think people are frightened to death about it.”

It was Stoke’s fourth and most prestigious win of the season and was thoroughly deserved after they defended stoutly against an off-colour Arsenal team whose problems were compounded by injuries to Bacary Sagna, Emmanual Adebayor and Theo Walcott.

They also lost Robin van Persie to a red card shown by referee Rob Styles for a disgraceful follow-through on Stoke goalkeeper Tomas Sorensen, who was already carrying several stitches in his head from an ugly challenge by Tottenham’s Alan Hutton last month. Arsene Wenger protested later that it should only have been a yellow card. Not many agreed.

For Arsenal, what began as a lapse of concentration against their north London rivals four days ago is fast turning into a crisis of confidence that leaves Wenger facing one of the most difficult challenges of his 12-year-reign.

Having insisted that his side were “united”, “passionate” and ready to fight for the cause, Arsenal delivered none of the above. Adebayor, who had called for “winning mentality” last week, was one of the most guilty, showing little apparent interest until he fell awkwardly on his ankle in the second half and had to be replaced.

The fact that Arsenal twice fell victim to Stoke’s most predictable attacking weapon was all the more humiliating.

If yesterday’s match proved anything it is that if they want to keep a clean sheet at the Britannia Stadium, don’t whatever you do concede a throw-in in your own half.

The penny eventually seemed to drop for Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia shortly before half time when he came running out of his penalty area to clear a long Stoke ball over the top of the defence, shaped to blast the ball into row 10 and then wisely thought better of it, opting instead to punt a clearance down the middle like a rugby union full-back kicking for territory.

It was a lesson harshly learnt. In the 11th minute Arsenal did concede a throw-in within Delap throwing range and, with home supporters stamping their feet and shouting “Rory, Rory”, the Stoke midfielder cleaned the ball on his shirt with ominous intent before sending a missile fizzing into the Arsenal penalty area.

The ball sailed over the head of Kolo Toure, a replacement for the injured William Gallas, and Fuller managed to get the faintest of touches with his head to guide the ball into the net.

It was a carbon-copy of Stoke’s winner against Sunderland last Wednesday, when Fuller again supplied the finishing touch to a Delap torpedo, and afterwards every time the ball went into touch in Arsenal’s half the moment was greeted by the Stoke crowd as if they had just been awarded a penalty.

On this evidence, it is as good as spot kick. In the 66th minute Delap’s throw-in from the left resulted in head tennis in the Arsenal penalty area before the ball fell to Salif Diao, whose shot had to be turned round the post by Almunia.

But seven minutes later a throw-in from an identical position extended Stoke’s advantage when a flicked header by Ryan Shawcross was bundled over the line off the chest of Olofinjana.

Gael Clichy did manage to claw back a consolation goal in injury time when a free-kick was squared by Fabregas, though the Frenchman’s shot needed a deflection to evade Sorensen’s dive.

But any hopes of a Tottenham-style revival in the dying minutes were never likely. Arsenal were by that time already reduced to nine men by injury and Van Persie’s dismissal.

“Stoke were sharper physically,” admitted Wenger. “We looked a bit jaded physically because we have played so many games recently.”

Source:telegraph

Theo Walcott: Teams scared to play Arsenal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:11:00 +0700

Walcott scored during the demolition of a team previously unbeaten in their last 15 home games to push Arsenal towards the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

Arsenal lead Group G with seven points from three games and could effectively confirm their passage with a win over the Turks when they visit the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby, Alex Song and Aaron Ramsey all added goals last night, and Walcott warned: "All the teams in Europe will look and see the 5-2 win by Arsenal, away and with a young team, and I think they will be scared to play us.

"That's the impression we want to give out to all the other teams. We do that and we have always got them on the back foot and hopefully we can just keep performing like that.

"It was absolutely brilliant. The main thing was getting the three points and everyone got their jobs right. We scored five goals and it was nice to see us taking our chances."

Fenerbahce's marvellous, colourful supporters did their best to boost their players, but despite the average age of Arsenal's team - around 22 - they refused to be intimidated.

Walcott added: "We knew their fans would be right behind them. But we quietened them down straight away by scoring two very early goals, it was a brilliant performance."

However, the 19-year-old admitted there was a down side to the performance in Istanbul, with a defence missing three key figures looking vulnerable at times and having to rely on goalkeeper - and captain - Manuel Almunia.

He said: "There were quite a few negatives as well but it's not going to always be perfect every game. Everybody wants to keep a clean sheet. But it was definitely perfect in the final third."(telegraph)

Theo Walcott's Arsenal deal delay alerts European giants

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:42:00 +0700

As Theo Walcott's future at Arsenal remains unresolved, Europe's leading clubs are preparing to enter into a bidding war for England's teenage star.

The north London club were due to begin negotiating a new deal with Walcott at the start of this month after talks were pushed back during the summer but they have still yet to materialise.

Walcott has just 20 months to run on his current contract, which ends in June 2010, and Arsenal have taken a risk by allowing him to run down more time after his excellent start to the new campaign.

Walcott has established himself as a regular for club and country this season, starring in all four of England's World Cup qualifiers and scoring a stunning hat-trick in England's 4-1 victory over Croatia last month.

The player has not been pressing for a new contract and, privately, is adamant that his development would be best served by continuing to work under Arsene Wenger but he is growing increasingly concerned that he has heard nothing from the club and there will be alarm in some quarters if the situation is still the same by the new year.

Arsenal recognise they may have to offer Walcott up to eight times his current salary of about £15,000-a-week to keep him out of the clutches of covetous rivals.

Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas, who earn around £80,000 a week, are believed to be the top earners at the club but even they are dwarfed by Walcott's international colleagues, such as Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, who are all in the £5-£8 million a year bracket.

Arsenal announced record pre-tax profits of £36.7 million for the year ending May 2008 but they have a strict wage policy.

There will be no shortage of takers if Walcott decides that his career would be best served by a move away from Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea have privately made it clear that they would break the bank to sign the teenager while Liverpool continue to court the boyhood Anfield fan.

Manchester City and Manchester United, who could lose Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid next summer, are monitoring the situation, as are leading clubs on the Continent.

Arsenal could command a fee of £40 million for Walcott given his immense potential and his age – he does not turn 20 until next March.

Arsenal would not be drawn on Walcott's situation. A spokesman said: "We don't comment on the specifics of player contracts."
(telegraph)

Theo Walcott's Arsenal education continues after Everton threaten shock at Emirates

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:39:00 +0700

No wonder we gather Theo Walcott would be happy to tie himself to Arsenal beyond the expiry of his contract in 2010. Where else would a young footballer receive such an education – or such support? True, he did more than his bit for Arsenal in this match, which Everton were winning when he appeared at the start of the second half, but the Arsenal ethos has done a lot for him, as the making of his late, late goal emphasised.

A little stab forward to his fellow substitute Abou Diaby, who made for the byline, led Everton to expect a low cross, but Diaby cleverly screwed the ball back to Walcott and a low shot between Tim Howard’s legs brought the England winger’s first Premier League goal of the season. He did not pause to say merci before milking the crowd’s applause, but no doubt gratitude would have come later. While around him are the likes of Diaby and Samir Nasri, whose goal did most to persuade Everton it was not, after all, their day, and while Arsene Wenger remains in charge, Walcott is in the right place.

We wondered if he might be at a crisis club. For three matches without a Premier League win constitutes a crisis and Arsenal, having lost at home to Hull, could only draw at Sunderland. They let Everton score too easily – and at the interval David Moyes’ team were entitled to believe they would leave with their first League victory for five weeks. But Nasri’s goal, and Walcott’s verve, gave Arsenal an impetus that was sustained beyond Robin van Persie’s winner – again, plucked from the Wenger textbook – to the final flourish.

Afterwards Moyes said he felt hard done by. Asked about newspaper suggestions that a Middle East group were planning to buy Everton, he replied that he seldom read papers on Saturdays but trusted the chairman, Bill Kenwright to do what was right for the club. Everton face Manchester United at Goodison Park next. Meanwhile Wenger takes Arsenal to face Fenerbahce in the Champions League without, in all probability, Kolo Toure, who joined his casualty list in the first half. But the Arsenal manager seemed delighted with a reassertion of resilience. “We showed personality in recovering from 1-0 down,’’ he declared.

Not at all. Everton earned their first-half ascendancy. With a little help, for the Arsenal career of Mikael Silvestre got off to an inauspicious start. There seemed little danger when Steven Pienaar’s pass limped into the penalty area. But Leon Osman had run on unchallenged and, with a sleepy defence spotting him too late, sidefooted between post and Manuel Almunia.

Everton were full of optimism, mopping up long balls aimed at Emmanuel Adebayor and counter-attacking, often at the instigation of the impressive 17-year-old Jack Rodwell, who can play in defence but here served as a composed holding midfielder. Pienaar, meanwhile, made life uncomfortable for Alex Song, whom Wenger had chosen to deputise for Bacary Sagna at right-back.

Song moved inside to replace Toure. And on came Walcott; Wenger had intended to rest him in readiness for Istanbul, but a change was needed and Emmanuel Eboue moved back. To ascribe the equaliser that came within three minutes to Walcott’s arrival would be to stretch a point. A corner was headed out and Mikael Silvestre shepherded the ball to Nasri, whose drive skimmed out of Howard’s reach.

Walcott did, however, take part in the move that culminated in Van Persie shooting high, and so troubled Tony Hibbert that the defender snapped into a tackle with Gael Clichy rightly punished by the yellow card. Then came very much an Arsenal type of goal. Adebayor took possession in the penalty area and, with the crowd baying for him to blast a shot into a blue wall of defenders, waited until he could lay the ball into the path of Cesc Fabregas; Howard splendidly thwarted Fabregas only for Van Persie to nod in the rebound.

Afterwards, with memories of the finale fresh, Wenger resisted the inevitable Theomania. Not that his every word exudes sound judgment; on Friday, his complaint that new FA rules insisting agents must be paid by players and not clubs were discouraging agents from dealing with English clubs – apparently they fear players will not settle their accounts – just made me rather proud of the FA.

Best moment: Emmanuel Adebayor’s patience in the penalty area - it led to to Arsenal’s moving in front when Tim Howard could block Cesc Fabregas’s shot and Robin van Persie headed home. Classic Arsenal.

Worst moment: Not just Tony Hibbert’s ugly tackle on Theo Walcott - the unnecessary intervention of Gael Clichy. Peter Walton, who refereed very judiciously, was right to yellow-card both men.
(telegraph)

Theo Walcott should start on bench for England qualifiers, says Chris Waddle

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:37:00 +0700

Former England winger Chris Waddle has said Shaun Wright-Phillips should take the place of Theo Walcott for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Arsenal youngster Walcott is expected to be one of the first names on Fabio Capello's teamsheet for the matches against Kazakhstan and Belarus following his hat-trick in Croatia last month in England's 4-1 win.

But Waddle, a star of England's march to the semi-finals of Italia 90, remains unconvinced that Walcott has the guile to break down defence-minded opposition and has called for in-form Manchester City winger Wright-Phillips to take his place on the right flank.

"When a match is tight and teams are sitting on the 18-yard box and defending deeply, he needs to develop another side to his game to break down the opposition," Waddle said.

"Despite his hat-trick, Walcott began the match very poorly in Croatia. He couldn't control the ball, he looked very edgy and nervous. I would even go so far as to say that I wouldn't necessarily pick him on the right flank against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

"If Capello uses injured Joe Cole's absence to make room for Steven Gerrard, then I think Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips is a better bet than the Arsenal man.

"Everybody has been talking about Robinho, but Wright-Phillips has been the best player by far in a Manchester City shirt since his return to the club.

"I would definitely start him in the next two games," Waddle added in the Daily Mail .

"I know it sounds surprising after Walcott's hat-trick in Zagreb, but, if there is room for only one of them, I hope Capello leaves the Arsenal youngster on the bench."
(telegraph)

Getting angry has been making of Theo Walcott, says Arsenal's Manuel Almunia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 9 Oct 2008 09:30:00 +0700

A new “furious” streak has made Theo Walcott a leading player for Arsenal and England, according to his club goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Following a string of impressive displays for Arsene Wenger’s men, the 19-year-old scored a stunning hat-trick for Fabio Capello’s senior team in their World Cup qualifier in Croatia last month.

The pacy forward has again been included for the forthcoming clashes with Kazakhstan at Wembley and next week’s away game in Belarus.

It has been a roller-coaster ride for the former Southampton trainee, who arrived at Arsenal in a big-money move in January 2006 and was a controversial selection for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s ill-fated World Cup squad that year, when he had yet to make his debut for the Gunners.

However, Walcott has toughened up since, recently coming in for some close attention from Dynamo Kiev captain Andrei Nesmachniy during the Champions League opener in Ukraine.

It is, though, just that ability to cope with whatever the opposition throw at him which Almunia believes makes Walcott a special talent.

“Theo was too nice maybe in the last two years, but this season you can see that when he gets tackled he gets furious, and that shows you he has changed,” said Almunia.

“When he used to take a tackle he did not reply with anything, he did not say anything to the referee or the opposing player. He would get tackled and stay on the floor, and he would never say anything. Now I like him more on the field.

“I just spoke with him once. I told him he had to be a bit more aggressive, and not so nice on the pitch, because if people can kill you they will do so.”

The 31-year-old Spaniard feels Walcott can continue to make great strides under Wenger’s expert guidance. Almunia added: “I can only say that Theo is beautiful playing football. To me he is like a machine, it’s unbelievable.

“I enjoy it a lot when I see Theo playing in training, and also because he is a very nice guy.

“He is by far the most exciting young English player I have ever seen. His skills are incredible and I am sure that over 100 metres he would get a good time.

“He has a lot of discipline; he is a very complete player. Theo is growing up and I think it’s going to be great for England.” (telegraph)

Fabio Capello wins custody battle for Theo Walcott but Stuart Pearce has a point

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 09:33:00 +0700

Like many a youngster in modern Britain, Theo Walcott has recently been plunged into a push-me-pull-you custody battle.

After his hat-trick in Zagreb, a trio of goals which turned the nation’s expectations on its head, everyone wants to spend a little time with the lad. Fabio Capello, the England manager, is particularly anxious that he takes a short break with the senior national team in that well-known holiday resort of Kazakhstan next June, to help ensure qualification for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Stuart Pearce, the man who nurtured his early international development, would rather the Arsenal flier accompanied him to Sweden at that time, where the finals of the European Under-21 Championship are to take place.

Yesterday, Capello appeared to ease ahead in this scrap for access. “Theo is ready, for sure,” he said. “He has to play for the seniors.”

It seems an easy call. And Walcott’s club manager, Arsene Wenger, agrees with Capello, even claiming that to pick the 19-year-old for the under-21s would be psychologically damaging now he has become so integral to the seniors.

Yet, tough as it is to contradict Wenger when it comes to considering what is best for the furtherance of English football interests, in this instance conventional wisdom surely needs to be challenged.

In Italy, they take the under-21s seriously. Their belief is that a cadre of players can be nurtured through the age ranges, triumphing in tournaments, taking the winning habit with them as a group into the seniors. In England, the under-21s generally consist of those not considered good enough for elevation, and consequently never win anything. The three most capped English Under-21s of all time – James Milner, Scott Carson and Tom Huddlestone – have two full caps between them.

Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, never played for that age group, progressing straight to the first team. It might not appear to matter. Except at the last time of looking, Italy were world champions and England did not qualify for Euro 2008.

Pearce, therefore, has a point: maybe it is a good idea to send the strongest possible team to Sweden to try to win something for a change. Particularly as – unless Saturday proves otherwise – England should be able to secure maximum points in Kazakhstan even without their new sensation.

Put Walcott in the under-21s, win the tournament and see what a difference it makes a couple of years down the line. It is a plausible theory. Though there is one slight drawback. To qualify for Sweden, Pearce’s under-21s have to beat Wales in a two-legged play-off on Friday and next Tuesday. And they will have to do that without Walcott. Right now he is required elsewhere.
(telegraph)

Theo Walcott can turn the tide for England

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 5 Oct 2008 09:25:00 +0700

After Michael Owen’s goal against Argentina in 1998, English football would never be the same again.

Or so Kevin Keegan optimistically observed. My idea of a teenage tide-turner was Theo Walcott in Zagreb; I suspect his hat-trick may prove the second most significant in an England match since Nandor Hidegkuti’s at Wembley in 1953 (behind only Geoff Hurst’s in 1966), in the sense that it may lift the inferiority complex exemplified by their exaggerated fear of the penalty decider. Because of the convincing nature of their 4-1 victory over the Croatians, the English can become winners again.

A journalist can deliver such judgments. A manager must speak as Fabio Capello did in Zagreb, where the professionally dour Italian penetrated the excitement with simple arithmetic. Because England had begun their World Cup qualification campaign by taking three points from Andorra, he intoned, they now had six. Capello spoke in similar vein last Thursday at a press briefing on the next match, at home to Kazakhstan on Saturday. “We have to play every match as if it were a final,’’ he said. “From Kazakhstan onwards [England are in Belarus four days later]. This is my philosophy of football – the focus is on the next game, not what we have done in the last one.’’

Did Graham Taylor like that? “Every word,’’ said the former England manager. We met while he put the finishing touches to England Expects, a documentary to be shown on ITV on Wednesday in which I have a cameo role, lunching with Taylor and addressing his proposition that press and public expect too much of the national team. Zagreb, he said on Friday, had done nothing but buttress it: “On the morning of the match – and remember the FA had sent back 1,600 tickets – expectations were relatively low. Having seen their team knocked out of the European Championship by Croatia, most of the fans I met would have been delighted with a draw. The media, too, expected a difficult night. Now whether that reached into the England camp I don’t know – but I honestly believe the sensible approach can only have helped the team.’’

In which case Capello, whatever any of us may feel about having a foreigner in charge, is making just the right noises. Asked what he wanted against Kazakhstan, he replied: “The same spirit and concentration as against Croatia. It doesn’t matter if the opposition is not as strong. If a team loses concentration after one good game, that’s the worst thing for a manager.’’ He added a plea to the Wembley crowd. “Before, because England had lost there, they were anxious. I hope that will have changed. Then the players and supporters can work together.’’ There would be times when the fans’ understanding would be needed. “It’s easy to give support when we’re winning. We need it when there are difficulties.’’ There could be no guarantee Walcott would dazzle again. “He’ll be like any other player – sometimes fantastic, sometimes normal, sometimes not so good. And when he’s not so good I’ll substitute him. Of course I hope I don’t have to. But it’s normal.’’

Taylor liked that, too. Harking back to the false dawn under Sven-Goran Eriksson, he said: “After the 5-1 in Munich, there was a feeling we’d already won the World Cup! And I am concerned Zagreb will engender the same feeling. So I agree with Capello. We must not go from one extreme to another. Expectancy must be kept in proportion. He may have a problem if we perform poorly against Kazakhstan and win only 1-0. You know what I mean? That is where the media come in. I believe it would help if they were to buy into a new approach to what we expect from the England team – bearing in mind our record over so many years – and the manager.’’

I wish I could help. But England looked in Zagreb as if they could beat anyone, with the possible exception of Argentina. How they might look in South Africa in 2010 we cannot say. But to deny a sudden feeling that Capello’s squad could become the next world champions would be to shirk my job. What riches are at his disposal: a midfield choice between Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard rather than, in Taylor’s day, Geoff Thomas and Andy Sinton. And vast European experience: while Taylor, himself having known just a single season in Europe with Watford, was obliged to use newcomers to foreign fields, Capello can call on nine starters from the most recent Champions League final. Not that I disagree with Taylor’s analysis, delivered after interviews with, among others, Capello, Eriksson, Glenn Hoddle, Harry Redknapp, Sir Trevor Brooking and Johan Cruyff. The English media can be one hell of a hindrance, as successive managers have discovered.

Even Capello threw up an arm in good-natured exasperation last week at the main line of inquisition: “Nine questions about Owen! It’s incredible!’’ Everyone knows Capello has reservations. As he put it: “Goalscoring is very important, yes, but I have seen players not perform for 89 minutes, then score – it’s not enough.’’ But only a fool rules players out and Capello has no wish to shoot England’s Bambi. Taylor would understand. At the end of his tenure, he replaced an off-form Gary Lineker with Alan Smith in Sweden. There were sound football reasons and I was one of the many who failed sufficiently to weigh them in my judgment. No wonder Capello gives little away.

False dawns: Previous glimmer of hope

Nov 11, 1987: YUGOSLAVIA 1 ENGLAND 4 (MANAGER: BOBBY ROBSON)

England were applauded off by the Belgrade crowd after this European Championship qualifier. With Tony Adams and Terry Butcher at the back, Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley up front and John Barnes outstanding on the wing, they had led 4-0 after 24 minutes. The following summer they went to the finals in Germany and lost all three matches.

Feb 19, 1992: ENGLAND 2 FRANCE 0 (GRAHAM TAYLOR)

It was only a friendly but France, spearheaded by Eric Cantona and Jean-Pierre Papin, looked majestic visitors to Wembley – only to be soundly beaten by Graham Taylor’s vibrant England, who featured the debutant Alan Shearer. England then went to Sweden for the European Championship finals and after performing poorly, were knocked out by the hosts.

June 18, 1996: ENGLAND 4 HOLLAND 1 (TERRY VENABLES)

At Euro 96, England gave a wonderful performance at Wembley, Shearer and Teddy Sheringham being supported by the likes of Steve McManaman, Darren Anderton and Paul Gascoigne. Terry Venables’s tactical skills seemed on the brink of fruition. But England were lucky to beat Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals and lost by the same method to Germany in the semi-finals.

Oct 11, 1997: ITALY 0 ENGLAND 0 (GLENN HODDLE)

After losing at home to Italy in the qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup, Glenn Hoddle steadied the ship and took his team to Rome, where they impressively drew 0-0. At the tournament in France, they ran into Argentina, taking part in a great match that might have been won despite the dismissal of David Beckham. Again, penalties decided otherwise.

June 12, 2000: PORTUGAL 3 ENGLAND 2 (KEVIN KEEGAN)

Remember the excitement as Kevin Keegan’s England exploded on the European Championship by taking a 2-0 lead over Portugal in Eindhoven? And the disappointment as the Portuguese scored thrice? Within days came a scruffy 1-0 victory over Germany, but such hope as this raised soon vanished with another 3-2 defeat, at the hands of Romania.

Sept 1, 2001: GERMANY 1 ENGLAND 5 (SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON)

England fans’ dreams came true as Eriksson’s team went to Munich and beat Germany 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier, Michael Owen scoring a hat-trick. But the Germans had a poor night and England were never to rediscover their Munich swagger. Though they beat Argentina in the Far East, a 10-man Brazil proved too strong for them.

Sept 12, 2007: ENGLAND 3 RUSSIA 0 (STEVE MCCLAREN)

No brolly was required as Steve McClaren’s England overcame Russia 3-0 at Wembley. Owen, profiting from Emile Heskey’s presence as usual, scored twice and Rio Ferdinand rounded off a confident display. Weeks later, however, England lost 2-1 in Moscow and in November a home defeat by Croatia cost them a place at Euro 2008 – and McClaren his job.
* England Expects is on ITV1 on Wednesday at 10.35pm (repeat ITV4 on Thursday at 10pm). At 11pm on Sunday, ITV4 shows an extended version of the 1994 documentary about Taylor, An Impossible Job.
(telegraph)

Theo Walcott quick to learn the high price of global fame

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:14:00 +0700

Theo Walcott has done much in his short life but the last week will play a significant part when he searches his memory for the highlights of what promises to be a glittering career.

The three goals he scored for England against Croatia, in Zagreb, allowed the19-year-old to enter the record books as his country’s youngest hat-trick hero. But with the reputation comes added pressure and, in the Stadion Valeriy Lobanovskyi, Walcott discovered that fame comes at a cost.

For much of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kiev, Walcott was a heavily marked man, with left-back and captain Andriy Nesmachniy attending to the winger so closely that it left manager Arsene Wenger claiming he was “destroying” the player and could have been dismissed three times.

Walcott, though, remains the fresh-faced youngster that Arsenal bought into for around £9 million. He may be a marked man, but Walcott is not disturbed by such attention.

“It’s a nice feeling when a defender is scared of you straight away,” said Walcott. “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 Kiev 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.”

Walcott featured for England in Barcelona against Andorra before his historic performance in Zagreb. Then came a 4-0 win at Blackburn, a difficult trip to Kiev, and on Saturday another long trip, to Bolton.

“It’s been a tough few days with a lot of travelling – Andorra, Croatia, Blackburn, Kiev and now Bolton. But it’s been really good because I really just want to play, that’s the main thing.

“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.”

Walcott’s life is changing but he remains an agreeable young man. In the summer the husband of his landlady at Southampton’s trainee lodge, Mike Upson, passed away. Naturally, Walcott was present at the funeral.

And, post-Zagreb, things will never be the same. “I’ve just got away from it and tried to be myself, take every game as it comes, train well – I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

“I am playing with more confidence. I just love playing for this club and for my country. Playing for Arsenal at 19 is a dream come true and starting in the Champions League has been brilliant.

“The extra attention hasn’t really got to me. It’s touched my family more than me. We had a few paparazzi outside our house. But I’ve just got away from it all by concentrating on my football. That’s all I can do.”

Teenage Kicks: Target Theo

9
The number of times Walcott was tackled during Dynamo Kiev game. He was the most fouled Arsenal player and the most fouled player in any of the four English clubs this week

5
The number of those tackles that were fouls

3
Times he has been fouled in the Premier League this season (in four games) .(telegraph)

Biography

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 22:01:00 +0700

Theodore 'Theo' Walcott was born on the 16th of March, 1989, in Newbury, Berkshire, England.

As a child, he followed his father Don in being a Liverpool fan, and at the age of 10 took up playing the game with AFC Newbury. Theo scored 100 goals in 35 games for the club's under-11 team and in 2000 won the Peter Houseman League Cup after his side beat Down Grange 4-2 in the final. After impressing with the Berkshire outfit, Theo was offered a schoolboy contract to join Swindon Town's Centre of Excellence, but soon left to join Southampton.

In his first season at Southampton, Theo's career continued to progress. At 15 years and 175 days old, he became the Saints' youngest player to appear for their reserve team by coming off the bench against Watford. He also helped the youth team make the final of the FA Youth Cup, where they lost 3-2 on aggregate to Ipswich Town. Walcott's England career also took off after he broke into the Under-17 team where he scored five times in eleven appearances.

Season 2005/06 was Theo's breakthrough season. He signed a full-time professional contract and at just 16 years and 143 days old, he made a substitute appearance in Southampton's goalless draw at home against Wolves, which made him the youngest player ever to appear for the Saints. Two months later he not only made his first start, but he also scored in Southampton's 2-1 defeat at Leeds United. Subsequently, he then scored in his next two appearances at Millwall and at home against Stoke City. 2005 finished with Theo being named in the top three of the BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Following Theo's rapid rise to fame, Chelsea and Arsenal both made bids for the 16-year-old, however the Gunners were the ones to clinch the forward's signature as Arsenal signed him on January 20, 2006, paying an initial fee of £5m which could rise to a maximum of £12m.

Life at Highbury didn't immediately take off for Theo, as for the remainder of the 2005/06 season, he failed to make a first-team appearance in the red and white shirt of Arsenal, however, he did make the bench for Champions' League matches against Real Madrid and Juventus, aswell as a Premiership match against Birmingham City. Walcott did though make appearances for the North London club's reserves. On his debut for the reserves, he scored in their 3-2 defeat by Portsmouth. He also went on to score against Charlton's reserves as well.

In February, 2006, Theo's England career continued to flourish after being promoted to the Under-19s. He scored on his debut in his side's 3-0 friendly win over Slovakia. Three months later, Walcott made a substitute appearance for the England B team against Hungary, where at 17 years and 75 days old, he became the youngest player to appear in a full England match.

The summer of 2006 was when Theo was a controversial choice by then England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, after the Swede included the teenager in his preliminary squad for the World Cup in Germany. The England national team were struggling with injury doubts over strikers Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, and with more established strikers available, like Jermain Defoe, James Beattie and Darren Bent, the nation questioned the logic of the decision. In the end, England went out on penalties to Portugal in the quarter-finals to Portugal. Theo failed to make an appearance.

Prior to season 2006/07, the striker/winger was expected to fight the likes of Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie and Jeremie Aliadiere for a place in the starting Arsenal line-up. However, Theo wasn't to be starring for the England national team for their friendly against Greece, as he was demoted to the Under-21s by new England manager Steve McClaren. He did though become the youngest to score for the England Under-21s with his goal against Moldova.

The season started brightly for Theo after he came off the bench at home against Aston Villa. The youngster provided the cross that eventually was put home by Gilberto Silva. It saw the Gunners draw their first match at the Emirates Stadium 1-1. Theo made another cameo appearance a few days later in the Champions' League home match against Dinamo Zagreb. He provided a low cross in the stoppage time for Matthieu Flamini to score the winner. The game ended 2-1 and saw Arsenal reach the group stages of the competition. Three days later away at Manchester City, Theo this time couldn't prevent his side losing 1-0.

Makes first full start for Arsenal on the 14th of October, when Arsenal beat Watford 3-0.

Theo Walcott debuted for Arsenal in the Premier League was against Aston Villa at the opening of the 2006/2007 season on August 19th 2006 as a substitute for now former Arsenal player Gilberto Silva assisting in a goal by a dead ball setpeice.

Walcott's debut for Arsenal in the Champions League was against Dinamo Zagreb (second leg fixture) making club history, becoming the youngest player ever for them to make an apperance in europe, breaking the club record set by Cesc Fabregas.

Immediately afer coming on he received a yellow card for kicking the ball away when the whistle had been blown. He later set up a goal making it 2 assists in 2 games. Walcott started his first home premier league game against Watford (horney hornets) on the 14th October 2006.

In 2006 Walcott received the BBC young sports personality award.

On 25th February 2007 he scored his first goal for the Gunners in the League Cup Final in Cardiff, however a double from Didier Drogba sealed the victory for Chelsea. Theo Walcott scored his first home goal for the Gunners in a truly breath-taking match in the Champions League against Slavia Prague in which Arsenal won 7-0, Walcott also made one assist on the night.

On the 23rd February 2008 Walcott scored his 1st goal in the Premier League against Birmingham City finishing the seasons campaign with a total of 7 goals from all competitions. In the 2008/2009 season Walcott was given former Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry's shirt number.

Saturday 18th October 2008 Theo Walcott grabbed his first League goal of the season against Everton FC, with the final score being 3-1 to Arsenal. On Tuesday 21st October 2008 Walcott scored a great goal for Arsenal in the Champions League away at the notorious Sukru Saracoglu stadium, hosts of Fenerbache.

Theo Walcott's England career:

Thursday 25th May 2006 was Theo's first ever introduction to the National squad coming on as a sub against Belarus for the England B team.

Tuesday 30th May 2006 history was made when Theo Walcott became the youngest player to ever play in a full internation for England as he took part in a friendly against Hungary which England won 3-1.

In the run up to the 2006 World Cup eyebrows where raised when former National coach Sven-Goran Erikkson's squad was announced with the addition of Walcott. At the time the fans were worried by the striker injury crisis, with Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney both injured.
Sven however decided to include Walcott instead of proven Premier League goalscorers, to the disgutlment of some players.

Theo Walcott never played for England in the 2006 World Cup with Sven admitting he was not ready yet to play at that level, but it would stand him well for future experience, a costly mistake as England were short of strikers at the tournament.

Tuesday 15th August 2006 was Theo Walcott's debut for the England under 21 side and he scored his first ever goal scoring after just 3 minutes in a 2–2 draw at Ipswich Town's ground Portman Road against Moldova.

In October 2006, in the qualification for the under-21 Euopean Championship, Walcott grabbed a brace against Germany in the playoff second leg.

Walcott made his first start in a World Cup qualifier on the 6th September against international minnows Andorra, and on 10th September 2008 played against Croatia, scoring a truly breath-taking hat-trick at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, making him the youngest player to score a hat-trick for England.
Pundits and experts praised Walcott for his maturity at such a young age, and beleived he was now fulfilling his massive potential.

Theo Walcott Profile

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 21:51:00 +0700

Name: Theodore 'Theo' Walcott
Club: Arsenal (Eng)
Shirt Number: 32

Personal
Position: Striker / Winger
Nationality: England
Date of Birth: 16/03/1989
Place of Birth: Newbury, Berkshire, England
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 63 kg
International honours: U17, 19 and full international caps

Contract
Date Signed: 20/01/2006
Contract Expiry: ?