Theo Walcott believes competition for both his Arsenal and England place will "bring the best" out of him.

The 20-year-old forward marked his return from his latest fitness problem, a back injury, with a goal when coming off the bench during the Gunners' 6-2 Barclays Premier League win over Blackburn yesterday.

Although England manager Fabio Capello was in the stands at Emirates Stadium, the Italian coach opted against handing Walcott an instant recall to the England fold for the World Cup qualifiers against the Ukraine and Belarus.

Walcott netted a brilliant hat-trick in the away victory over Croatia last season before suffering a shoulder problem which required surgery.

Then this summer he was a controversial selection for the England Under-21s at the European Championship in Sweden.

Another enforced absence at the start of this season has allowed the likes of Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon and Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips to both stake their own claim for a place on the right flank.

However, Walcott - who hit the headlines when he was taken to the last World Cup by Sven-Goran Eriksson as a raw teenager - is ready to rise to the challenges ahead this season, which will hopefully end in South Africa.

"It is always great having competition because it brings the best out of you," the Arsenal forward said.

"England has a great squad with a great bunch of lads and it is the same for Arsenal, with fantastic, world-class players.

"At the moment I am thinking about trying to get back into the Arsenal starting line-up and I am not really thinking about the World Cup.

"I don't look to the future - I will just try to keep playing well and see where it takes me."

While Capello continues to stress nothing is certain as far as his final squad for South Africa is concerned, expectation of just what this side can achieve next summer continues to grow.

England head to Ukraine with their World Cup place already secure following a 100% record from eight matches so far.

Former national team manager Eriksson, who will be part of Internet broadcaster Perform's live coverage for Saturday's match in Dnipro, believes the hype can be both "dangerous" and yet "beautiful".

"Expectation will be like always - the closer to the World Cup, the more favourites England will be if you talk to people and read the press," said Eriksson, speaking at today's launch event by Perform and rights holders Kentaro at the Soho Hotel in London.

"In one way it is a little bit dangerous, but in another way it is beautiful because all of the country will breathe football.

"Maybe now expectation will be even bigger because of the way they have qualified."

Eriksson reached the quarter-finals in Germany before losing on penalties to Portugal.

The Swede, now director of football at League Two club Notts County, believes this England squad will be older and wiser heading to South Africa.

"You have certain players who are extremely important for England - like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney - they are more mature now and have a lot of experience," said Eriksson.

"You have a lot of players in this squad who have now already done one or two World Cups, which is very important.

"They are at the right age and I think they have a good chance to reach the final, and maybe win it. I hope so."

Capello has named a near full-strength squad for the Ukraine and next week's Wembley date with Belarus, despite England having already secured safe passage to the finals.

Eriksson is not surprised.

"When England play, they are never a friendly game," he said.

"I thought so when I had the job, but I learnt very quickly that when England play, it is always serious business.

"I am quite sure Capello will play the best team.
"It is also a good opportunity for him to see some others as well."

Eriksson added: "When the players put the England shirt on, it is always very serious.

"Knowing Capello, he will not want to lose a game even if England are already qualified.

"Also for Ukraine it is very important, they will really want to win because they also still have the chance to qualify."