Tonight:
5°c
Theo's gunning for more glory
Wayne Veysey, Evening Standard24 Oct 2007
Theo Walcott insisted today that he is his "own man" and urged Arsenal's fans not to compare him to Thierry Henry. The 18-year-old striker has had a troubled two years with the Gunners but he netted twice in the record 7-0 demolition of Slavia Prague in the Champions League last night and says he is now ready to match the French legend's achievements.
Last night saw Walcott's second appearance in a central striking role for the club and it was difficult not to think of the departed Henry when he completed his double with a deft poke with the outside of his foot after outpacing the defender.
But Walcott said: "People are always going to compare me to Thierry - the way I run and everything - but as I keep saying I will be my own player.
"The fans have been brilliant to me since I joined. Every game the cheers are massive. It was good to get those goals tonight for them. It would have been nice to get the hat-trick - maybe another day - but I'll take two, definitely.
"People are going to compare the second goal to Thierry but it was my own goal. It was brilliant to train with him every day and take bits out of his game but I'm my own player."
Manager Arsene Wenger also sounded a note of caution about his teenager starlet after seeing Cesc Fabregas (2), Alex Hleb, Nicklas Bendtner and an own goal complete the record score at Emirates Stadium.
He said: "Theo took a while to get into the game - but once he scored the goal, you saw him much more." "I believe he has the talent - that is why he is at Arsenal. The problem is not to hurry too much.
"He has good ingredients in him. He is intelligent, has fantastic pace - and his technique is improving. But you need to be patient."
Wenger's patience has certainly started to pay dividends, with last night's brace being Walcott's first goal at Arsenal's home.
"It's a weight off my shoulders," admitted Walcott. "The last couple of games have gone well for me and it's great to get my first goal at Emirates." England's youngest-ever international admits that it has taken him some time to settle at Arsenal since his £12million move from Southampton and his non-playing experience at the German World Cup.
"It has been up and down but that's gone now," he explained. "I was only 17 when I got called up to the World Cup. No one expected it, including me.
"But we are so relaxed at the moment, playing brilliant football. People love to watch Arsenal play. That's the way we have been playing and I think we can do much better."
