Walcott: I've got time on my side

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Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is set for another spell on the sidelines after his injury curse struck again leaving training on Friday morning. The Gunners starlet has only recently returned from a long-term shoulder injury, and was working his way back to full fitness when his knee locked while walking back from training, just days after Walcott had revealed his frustrations at being out of action for the past three months. "No player likes getting injured," he said in a video interview with Nationwide, available to watch in FourFourTwo.com's interviews section. "It's very difficult. You can't go into training always down all the time. You've just got to enjoy getting back fit." The 20-year-old had been hoping to continue his comeback for Arsene Wenger's side this weekend at Newcastle, while the former Southampton starlet was also set to feature for the England U21s against Norway and France next week. 

A brief spell with the U21s would have proved ideal preparation ahead of the youngster's return to the senior side, following his hat-trick heroics in England's 4-1 win in Croatia last year.

How long Walcott will be ruled out for has yet to be confirmed, but the winged wonder knows that time is still on his side.

"I can only just work hard and try to get to the level where I was before and I'm sure I'll do that with hard work," he said. "I've just turned 20 and I still want to play for the England U21s, and we'll see what happens with the full squad.

"Every time you play for your country there's obviously a lot of pressure anyway. I haven't got ahead of myself or got all big time. I'll never be like that. That was a brilliant night. It sort of all reflected back to me, but the whole team were absolutely fantastic, the fans especially - they were so loud."

Walcott also revealed how he is now feeling much more comfortable in the England set-up, and feels that the players' good relationships off the pitch are helping improve performances on it.

"It's sort of second nature to me now and I've got to know all the lads better," he said. "We bond quite a lot, we play golf now and then with each other, a bit of PSPs (computer games), and we watch DVDs together.

"We've got it right this time and I think it's paying off the way we're playing football at the moment. It's nice to get that feeling that hopefully teams will be scared of this England squad, and I'm sure if we play football like we did in Croatia then I'm sure we'll beat anyone."

And, despite his spate of injuries, Walcott is determined to return to the England squad and prove why he is regarded by many as one of the most talented young stars in world football.

"I've still got to work hard and not just stop where I am now. There's a lot of competition on the right side as well. People say you've been there now, but I've still got loads of things to learn and I think there's going to be plenty more to come."

ARSENAL FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expanding interviews archive for more stuff to read:
Web Exclusives Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas
Q&A Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas
One on One Arsene Wenger, Thierry Henry, Ian Wright
Boy's A Bit Special Theo Walcott, Armand Traore
Perfect XI Ian Wright

Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.