Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott has not given up on his dream of representing England at next summer's World Cup despite being sparingly used under Arsene Wenger. The England international has primarily featured in the Gunners' Europa League and League Cup games with Arsene Wenger favouring the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, and Alex Iwobi in the attacking midfield positions.
In a report covered by Evening Standard, Walcott admits that he still has the ambition of making a comeback with the Three Lions, and he is looking to impress with the opportunity provided at Arsenal, he said: "Of course. That is why I need to be playing football, simple as that. But I need to deserve to be playing. So in this competition, cup games, Premier League when given the chance, I need to take it. That is the only chance I have to get back into the England squad. As a player, you need to be doing it on the field first and foremost. That’s what I want to do. We’ll see where my football takes me."
Walcott made his only World Cup with England as a 16-year-old in 2006, but he was then not used by manager Sven Goran Eriksson. The former Southampton graduate was therein ignored by Fabio Capello four years later before sustaining a season-ending injury which dashed his hopes in 2014. Under Southgate, Walcott has featured three times since 2016, but the manager has hinted that the nation could utilise younger talents coming from the ranks rather than the Gunners forward, who has never quite lived up to his early potential.
Arsenal got their top-four prospects back on track this weekend after they sealed a 2-0 victory over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Both goals had a suspicion of offside, but the Gunners nevertheless dominated the field of play. Arsene Wenger's side are now equal on points with fourth-placed Chelsea, although the Blues have a game in hand.
