Theo Walcott is eager to be given the
opportunity to impress in a central striking role by Arsenal
manager Arsene Wenger this season.
The 20-year-old England international, who is primarily used as
a winger by the Gunners, admits that he is keen to be employed in
his preferred position.
Wenger has told the
Walcott
that his
chance will come, and the former Southampton youngster wants to add
to his goal tally in the coming season.
"The boss said hopefully he will start to put me up front now
and then," he told the club's official website.
"That's my natural position but I'd play anywhere for this
team.
"I want to improve my final ball and score more goals. You get
judged on goals so I want to score 15-plus this season.
"I love making runs in behind, I love scoring goals and making
goals. That's what I'll be judged on and I'm looking forward to
that."
And Walcott believes the Emirates Stadium side must learn to win
ugly if they are to challenge for silverware following a four-year
trophy drought.
Despite reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League
and FA Cup last term, Walcott believes the Gunners can learn much
from Manchester United and Chelsea.
"I think we need to do the dirty things right," he admitted.
"Sometimes it's not just about pretty football, we need to grind
out the results sometimes and get the win, get the three
points.
"In cup competitions no one remembers the game, as long as the
result is right. We need to take that into our game.
"Manchester United and Chelsea do the dirty work and they take
their chances as well, that's another thing we need to learn and
improve on.
"We had a great experience of getting to semi-finals last season
but not quite getting to finals. Hopefully we can put that
right."
skysports.