Theo Walcott has warned opponents he is only going to get better as he learns more about playing upfront.
The Arsenal forward has finally been given the opportunity he has craved for much of his career under Arsene Wenger, with the manager giving him an extended run as his lead striker since the end of last season.
Despite some stuttering displays this season Walcott is beginning to settle into the role, scoring two goals in September and impressing against the Chelsea defence. With Olivier Giroud struggling to recover form and confidence the England international is likely to get further opportunities to impress in his preferred role.
Now Walcott is determined to make the most of it, telling the club website: “The goals are coming, which is great.
“I have always said to the manager that I can always play in a three-man forward line so it is a good option for him. At the moment he believes I can do it up front and the more I play up front, the more the players will see the runs I make and what I do on the pitch as well.
“I will be judged on the goals I score. You can play the best game in the world but if you don’t score it doesn’t mean anything. But I’m very confident I can do a job up front.”
Walcott admits that there is one particularly area of striking play he needs to improve, his physicality with his back to goal, something which his main rival does exceptionally well.
Arsenal in training
He said: “Up front you need to do the different side of the game such as holding it up for your team-mates and trying to play people in. The players with a big build like Olivier Giroud do that tremendously well.
“It is something I will definitely learn and get better at but if I can create more space for other players to come into the game, that is important as well.”
