Arsenal striker Theo Walcott admits 'he can do better' after struggling to find the net against Newcastle

Tough times: Walcott did not impress as Arsenal's number nine
James Benge30 August 2015

Theo Walcott has admitted he can do better after struggling to find the back of the net when given a chance to lead the line against Newcastle.

A Fabricio Coloccini own goal gave Arsene Wenger’s side their second win of the campaign in what was an unconvincing display against ten men. Walcott spurned several presentable chances for the visitors; whose only goal scorer on this season’s scoring charts is Olivier Giroud with one.

However the England international is confident that, given further chances, he will prove Wenger was right to have faith in his ability to play as a central striker.

“I had opportunities but I just didn’t take them,” Walcott told the club website. “Like I said before, I would on another day. If I came out and had no chances at all I would be very disappointed.

“It’s good that I was in there and I know that I can do better, but we got the three points and that’s most important.”

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Though a second win of the season moved Arsenal up to fifth place in the league, and three points ahead of struggling local rivals Chelsea, it was another far from impressive display against a Newcastle side who posed no attacking threat after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 16th minute red card.

And the Arsenal striker praised his opponents for their defensive work, admitting that his side had found it tough to break Steve McClaren’s men down.

“Once they did go to 10 men we found it more and more difficult to actually get in behind them. They condensed the pitch and we found it difficult.

“The gameplan was pretty difficult after that but we had to adapt to what we were put up against and we just had to be very patient.

“We said at half-time to just be patient and luckily in the end we got a deflected goal.”

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