Theo's title inspiration from F1 ace Hamilton but he hopes Gunners can go one better

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Theo Walcott spent much of the year admiring Lewis Hamilton's bid for Formula One glory, but the striker is confident Arsenal can go one better than his new idol and win the race for the championship.

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Hamilton's inexperience cost him in the final straight of the campaign and he ended up missing out to Kimi Raikkonen.

And many pundits believe the Premier League leaders will falter soon as the pressure mounts.

Walcott (right) was nicknamed 'Lewis' by his former team-mate Thierry Henry after the France striker spotted a likeness between the 18-year-old and Hamilton

However, Walcott feels Arsenal have a hidden steel that will continue to surprise.

He said: "We are all really brilliant young players, we are all quick and we have played a lot of years together. Last year we developed as a team and at the beginning of the season people were writing us off.

"The team spirit is there as well. But it's also the way we are, the fact we are like a family. That's why we are doing really well.

"My friends tell me I get the biggest cheers at the Emirates because I am English. But I read somewhere that I am the kind of player to get people out of their seats.

"That is what they love as well I suppose."

Walcott was nicknamed 'Lewis' by his former team-mate Thierry Henry after the France striker spotted a likeness between the 18-year-old and Hamilton.

The striker feels a close bond with the Formula One driver as he realises that as two young talented English sportsmen, they have the possibility to inspire others.

Walcott, who has missed training this week because of flu but could be on the bench against Spurs tomorrow, said: "I hope to meet Lewis some day and I want to invite him to the box I now have at the Emirates. He has been doing fantastically in Formula One.

"I have been following it again because of him and have really got into it. I used to watch Damon Hill, but now Lewis is doing really well and it is great for the UK.

"I'd like to think I could become a role model like he is now. A lot of young people relate to me because we are of a young age."

With all the furore surrounding some clubs' Christmas parties, Walcott's maturity is bound to impress new England boss Fabio Capello. And he has set his sights on proving himself to the Italian.

He said: "I know I have to play well if I am to get into the senior squad but if I do well I'll be there."

 

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