Theo Walcott is hoping to shake
off the Thierry Henry comparisons which follow him around at
Arsenal.
The youngster is keen to prove that he brings his own qualities
to the Gunners, while accepting that his electric pace and ability
to cut inside from the flanks are similar to the traits perfected
by Henry during his time in North London.
The 19-year-old realises that making the grade in the Premier
League is vital to his progress this year, while he is also looking
to become an established member of the England squad.
His controversial selection for the 2006 World Cup, as an
untried 17-year-old, has been widely criticised, but he has bounced
back in eye-catching style.
He now has two full caps to his name and has been included in
Fabio Capello's 23-man party for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers
against Andorra and Croatia.
He has begun the new season in impressive fashion, with an
Henry-esque finish against FC Twente in a recent UEFA Champions
League qualifier rekindling memories of the flying Frenchman.
"I learnt so much from Thierry, but it was my own finish and I
quite like to score goals like that," the Arsenal striker said.
"People always say it is like Thierry, but I am not
bothered.
"It is nice to be compared to him, of course, but I want to be
my own player."
He went on to add: "It was good to get my first goal early on
this season.
"Last year I left it quite late, but then they kept coming, so
hopefully I can carry on scoring now I have got the first one out
of the way.
"I think my touch has improved this year and my link-up play has
definitely improved.
"I need to just get into the games, keep running at players and
to flow nicely."