Arsenal star Theo Walcott has insisted that he’s not worried about the pressure of wearing the number 14 shirt in the new season and sets his sights on being a 20-goal-a-season striker.
Big things are expected of the England starlet for the new season mainly because of his fantastic end to the 2007-08 campaign.
Wearing Thierry Henry’s old shirt would surely heighten the pressure? Well not according to the 19-year-old striker.
“It’s just a number in the end,” Walcott said. “It’s just a number on the back of a shirt, that’s what I think, anyway.”
After Theo’s magic moment at Anfield last season, many Gooners’ see him as a winger, despite this, the man himself wants to be scoring 20+ goals a campaign, its definitely possible, Cristiano Ronaldo can do it so why can’t Theo?!
“In five years’ time I want to be a regular for Arsenal and England, scoring 20 goals a season,” Walcott added.
“That’s a lot, but you have to set your sights high. I want to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup. That’s the main thing, medals.
“People go on about money and contracts, but for me it’s always going to be about the football.”
Walcott enjoyed his finest season with the Gunners last term, grabbing his first Premier League and Champions League goals. His growth into one of the country’s brightest talents culminated in a recall to the England set-up for the fixture against Trinidad and Tobago last month.
Tags: anfield, arsenal, Champions League, premier league, thierry henry, walcott, Wenger
July 20, 2008 at 11:28 am
he will do even better
July 20, 2008 at 11:31 am
I’d rather Theo as a winger, it’s possible he could score that much. He has all the attributes to be our next big thing.
July 20, 2008 at 11:34 am
Very true RVP.
He’s certainly capable of scoring 20+ goals a season, but he needs to hold on to a consistent run of form before that even happens.
July 20, 2008 at 11:46 am
Ramsey was great yesterday — definitely would be up some first team experience in my book this coming season. Still early to say but if he’s as good this early in the pre-season and can keep his form he could prove an invaluable part of the first team squad.
July 20, 2008 at 11:52 am
I am a bit fifty fifty on Theo, i sometimes unsure wheather he can live up to the expectations. He is fast but disappears in some games. I also think thats maybe because the ball isnt passed to him as much as to the likes of Hleb and Ade, just because of the lack of confidence players have in him. I remember matches when he would scream for the ball and he was free but players would opt for Hleb or Ade even if Theo was in a better position. If he shows a bit more at the start of the season he may find that he will get the ball more. He reminds me of Owen in some respects, not tecchnically brilliant but very fast. I dont think he will ever have the trickery of Henry.
July 20, 2008 at 11:58 am
Wenger was reserved about Ramseys display, think he probably expects him to lift his fitness up a couple of notches to even think of getting into the first team. The fact he mentioned he was tired shows what he expects
July 20, 2008 at 12:23 pm
hey I think its about time walcot shows that why wenger signed him, last season was better but he need to score more frequently , to gain confidence and once he does that it hardly will take time to become top european players.
July 20, 2008 at 12:32 pm
everyone is talking about us “needing” to buy defenders.
sorry but if you look at our squad on skysports, we have Toure Gallas Clichy Sagna Traore Hoyte Gilbert (on loan) Senderos Djourou perhaps even eboue and song! thats 10 or 11 defenders!
Recent quotes from arsene stated that he had doubts about bringing in players as it affects the younger ones; e.g Nordveit traorre djourou hoyte. wenger wont buy another!
you look at our squad on sky sports and there is one area we are lacking. with walcott as an attacker this year we only have ONE attacking midfielder, Rosicky (who’s always injured)
and there is a perfect player who fits the bill
unfortunately the barca loving Arshavin. That is who wenger will buy
July 20, 2008 at 1:02 pm
to Josh,
I’m on your side that Arshavin should be brought in.
but, defenders.
big issue.
we have many defenders but MOST of them are inexperience and not reliable. eg. Gallas, Hoyte
Toure is much more better than our skipper.
I do think that AW really need to bring in 2 SOLID centre-backs.
July 20, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Josh, apart from Toure and Gallas would you have faith in any of the centre halves you mentioned. Song and Senderos will be our back up centre halves this season. Neither have yet to prove they can play consistently at a high level. Senderos has been frequently exposed and Song has only had a few games for the first team in tht position. I do worry if Gallas or Toure get ingured that we have good enough back ups. What could be even more worrying is if Gallas gets injured or suspended whlie Toure is on Ivory Coast duty. We would be F***ed. I do find it strange that Wenger has not gone int the market for an experienved centre half, he is putting a lot of faith in Song and Senderos
July 20, 2008 at 1:19 pm
We have more than 1 attacking midfielder, Rosicky, Nasri, Walcott can be used as an atccking midfielder, Diaby has attacking capabilities and Vela has joined but yes agreed we do need someone else.
It will be interesting how AW uses Diaby because this really is his season, he joined same time as Ade and Walcott. Diaby is one of those players that woukd serve well in a 4 – 5 -1 formation. When he first joined I thought he would be the next Vieria, they may look the same but they play very differently. Whereas Vieria is a real all rounder who can play it simple, link defence to attack, and also battle it out when you play away game and are under pressure and win the ball and intimidate the opposition. Diaby is a technical player who loves taking players on and gettig past them. He also loves having a pop at goal. Can you trust him to play as a holding player next to Cesc. I am not sure because I have not seen Diabys defensive qualities yet, I havnt seen him battle, what I have seen of him is his ability to take on players. Which is why i see him in a 4-5-1 where we have a defensive midfielder in addition to him
July 20, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Found this today. Is this website reliable with it’s news?
http://highbury1913.blogspot.com/2008/04/confirmed-arsenal-sign-dimitrov-for.html
July 20, 2008 at 2:54 pm
i wasnt saying i had faith in song or senderos, just that the boss has said that he doesnt want to bring in new players to scare off the youngers.
Nordtveit looks great though, albeit needs a year or 2.
arsene did say yesterday i think, he was after an experienced player. I think this is arshavin or alonso.
heaven forbid the latter
July 20, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Well when Toure was away last season on African duty, Senderos was brought in and he was brilliant in the games he played and Toure got injured so Senderos got a longer run. Then Toure came back after injury and got thrust into the side straight away despite being poor in the ACN and he played poor for us.
When Sagna got injured Toure got moved to RB and Senderos was back again for one or two games and he wasn’t the same.
I think if Arsene had kept Senderos in the team we might’ve won the PL (same applies to Almunia and Lehmann cos Almunia came back from injury against Birmingham and made a mistake for their first goal).
July 20, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Diaby’s tackles are not as good as the other DM players that we have. No doubt Diaby likes to attack, but at times he holds on to the ball for too long and team mates are either covered or he loses the ball.
It’ll be great to sign Gareth Barry who is strong and has good experience. For a 27 year old DM, he has at least 5 more good years in him. Alonso is kinda injury prone, so as Diaby.
On CB, I think Justin Hoyte is not up to it, Senderos makes too many mistakes and Toure-Gallas don’t really match. I’d prefer to keep Toure if you ask me. Well, maybe Nordveit is the answer? I don’t knokw.. but I’d like to see a EPL defender coming over either as first choice or cover. Don’t forget Gallas and Toure can get injured or need rest too.
July 20, 2008 at 6:29 pm
why Josh? Alonso is a good player, can pass the ball and would fit into our side nicely.
July 20, 2008 at 7:00 pm
we need cruz an barry then we will win cups man u will lose games the start ot the seson cause ron is injured they r a 1 man team CUM ON ARSENALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
July 21, 2008 at 1:34 am
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July 21, 2008 at 11:07 am
why alonso!!?
someone who isn’t good enough for liverpool, why would he be good enough for us. Sadly i think he is the most likely player we’ll get
we’ll get 2 good years out of him tops. whats the point
July 21, 2008 at 4:32 pm
great comments
July 22, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Theo has to become a first team selection if he is going to turn into yet another Arsenal all time greats. His speed and control is awesome and scares the lives out of defenders.