Walcott putting World Cup prospects on back burner

ARSENAL winger Theo Walcott has vowed to take Arsene Wenger’s advice about concentrating on club football and putting the World Cup to the back of his mind for now.

Wenger reacted angrily early in the week when questioned about players such as Walcott needing to maintain form and fitness ahead of next year’s tournament in South Africa.

International football will be the least of Arsenal’s concerns this weekend when Chelsea arrive at the Emirates Stadium, particularly after the defeat to Sunderland last Saturday.

“You want to play well for your country and the summer (at the World Cup) will come if you have a great season,” said Walcott, who came on during the Champions League win over Standard Liege for his second substitute appearance since recovering from an injury to his right knee.

“The best way is just to take every game as it comes and not look into the future because you never know what is going to happen. You could have a great season, get injured at the end of it and miss out. So I am just going to concentrate on every single game until the end of the season.

“I want to get back in the starting line-up for Arsenal and hopefully try and help us to go far in the league. We have a great bunch of lads and I just want to get back playing for Arsenal, that is the best way.”

While a straightforward victory against Standard sealed a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League, facing Carlo Ancelotti’s side is seen as the real test if Arsenal have recovered from the Sunderland defeat.

Kieran Gibbs’ fractured foot means Wenger must choose between Armand Traore and Silvestre at left-back, or push Emmanuel Eboue back into defence and onto an unfamiliar flank.

The good news is that William Gallas’ head and ankle injuries are unlikely to rule him out of facing his former club. In attack, Robin van Persie’s injury means Wenger will need to find a striker for the focal point of his front three, with Walcott playing there earlier in his career.

“It is a shame with Robin because he has done such a tremendous job for us this year,” Walcott said. “We have got great strikers who can come in for him and I am one of a bunch of strikers who can do that job.

“I would love to play upfront, it was my position, but at this club I’ll play anywhere. I played up front at Southampton and it has been quite a while.”

Walcott admitted he was surprised to hear about his manager’s World Cup rant on the eve of the Standard victory, although he explained: “He is a very passionate person. He loves his job and he is showing his passion for the game and how well he wants us to do. It is very surprising but the boss is very passionate and he just wants to show everyone that he is not so quiet.”