WALCOTT MAKES SWIFT RETURN
Following Arsene Wenger’s damming reports after Walcott received a hamstring injury against Chelsea which suggested the pacey winger would not play again this season and would most likely not be available for England’s Euro 2012 campaign, both England and Arsenal have received an unexpected boost as it seems that the 23 year old is likely to be available for the Gunner’s final league fixture away at West Brom. This would be his final chance to impress new England Manger Roy Hodgson, who will be overseeing his final game as the Baggies Boss.
News of Walcott’s fitness will be a big boost to Hodgson who will need many of the established England players fit for what is set to be a difficult tournament this summer. The Arsenal manger has already announced his belief that Walcott will be a key performer for England this summer after what he believes to be the best season of the winger’s career. Walcott himself has also suggested he is feeling in top form coming into the tournament and is ready to step up to the challenge ahead of him.
Nevertheless, Walcott may find his place both internationally and for his club under attack. With the signing of Lukas Podolski confirmed, the England international may find that a good international tournament is vital to retaining his first team status for next season. This may not be so easily done, with fellow team mate Alex Oxdlade-Chamberlin as well as Daniel Sturridge and Adam Johnson to name a few, battling for a place out wide for England this summer.
The arsenal winger has admitted himself that he needs to add goals to his game to avoid becoming too one dimensional and over reliant on his pace. This may be an issue that needs addressing sooner rather than later should Walcott wish to remain at the top of the sport.