Arsenal star Walcott has warning for rivals (From Haringey Independent)

Walcott vows to 'show people what I can do' this season

11:23am Thursday 5th August 2010 in Sport

THEO Walcott has sent a warning to Premier League's defences ahead of the new season by insisting he is going to 'show people what he can do'.

The winger, who endured a frustrating injury-riddled season last year, is confident that he can stay fit and cause problems for opposing defences, following the heartbreak of missing out on a place in England's World Cup squad this summer.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a solid pre-season with the Gunners, setting up two goals in Arsenal's 3-2 Emirates Cup victory over Celtic at the weekend.

And now he is ready to kick on. “The full pre-season will definitely help. It was an on-off season last season and it's difficult to come back from that,” he told the club's website. “I would just get back and get another injury.

“I was in double figures last season with injuries. Maybe last year I was thinking about it too much and I was being a bit too timid in games because I was thinking about injury. This year I'm just going to get out there and show people what I can do. It's all I can do really.”

Walcott admitted he struggled to deal with being omitted from Fabio Capello's 23-man squad.

“Not making the World Cup this year and not playing the last one, even though I didn't deserve to be there, it's one of those things – what can I do to improve myself to be there next time?

There are always disappointments in football, this was my biggest one yet.

“But when I found out about not making the England squad, the Arsenal players were really supportive. The first player I had a text from was Nicklas Bendtner and the manager was very supportive too.

“I was obviously really disappointed not to have made it, but now for the first time in a long time, I have been able to have a rest and a proper pre-season.

“I am really excited about the season ahead – we were pleased after winning the Emirates Cup last weekend and it's good to see players like Jack Wilshere coming through and playing so well. It is also exciting to see new players like Marouane Chamakh joining the squad.”