Is Theo Gunner come good?

by CARL ELDRIDGE The spotlight falls on Theo Walcott this morning after his fair-to-middling display in the Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Emirates on Saturday. And the papers carry quotes from Walcott and Arsene Wenger as the assessment of his abilities and potential continues. The Daily Mirror says AW has absolutely no doubt that Walcott will make Capello’s final 23 for South Africa and believes the signs are good that he is returning to form and full fitness.

AW said: “It’s terrible pressure, but that’s the modern media. When I played, there was no television, no cameras were on Capello and yet everything is analysed on Match of the Day and then people will try to get Capello to analyse it. The World Cup is not today, it’s in July. I think he will make the squad, yes.

“The problem is that everyone has the England national team in their mind and because you want to bring the World Cup back to London you want everybody to be on top today. They will be on top in the long run but when players have been out for a while it takes a while to get back to your best with confidence, sharpness and the zip. That will come back with Theo.

“He is getting there. He gets harsh treatment on the pitch, but we see signs in training, we get a response, and now even when opponents kick him he responds very well. It’s part of the learning process. I’ve said many times that players get there when they are 22 or 23 and yet Theo is still 20.”

Theo tells the Telegraph: “I’m starting to get there now, it’s just getting that final ball sorted,” acknowledged Walcott. “This season has been the most frustrating in my career so far — just on, off, on, off. I don’t think people realise that you can’t be at your best just like that. In a couple of games’ time I think I’ll be up to full fitness and hopefully I can show people I’m back.”

The paper says that Walcott even admitted that he had lost count of the times he had returned this season only to be struck by a new injury but, if he can now put together a sequence of matches, his freshness could be imperative both to Arsenal and England. “I feel fit as anything I’ve felt — and I do feel fresh,” he said. “I’m still developing — I’m not 21 yet and Thierry Henry didn’t really come through until he was 23.”

The Sun says Walcott will have a clearer picture of where he figures in England boss Fabio Capello’s World Cup warm-up plans today. England Under-21 chief Stuart Pearce names his squad for their match next Wednesday against Greece.

Walcott has not figured for Capello’s senior team this season – due to injuries to his shoulder, knee and hamstring and has been restricted to just five Premier League starts this term. But the paper says that Capello was at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to watch Walcott perform well for the Gunners. And the Italian may decide Walcott is ready to be thrown back into his senior squad for the friendly against Egypt the same night instead.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail says AW is set to be linked with the Real Madrid job again. The paper says Jose Mourinho went out of his way to play down the reports linking him to Real Madrid in the week, with the Inter manager preparing for his Champions League tie against Chelsea.

Nevertheless, says the paper, the circus surrounding the Real job is sure to start up in earnest should the Spanish team fail to overturn the 1-0 defeat inflicted on them by Lyon, meaning AW is sure to be touted once again. Current coach Manuel Pellegrini was the second choice of Real president Florentino Perez last summer, after Wenger. The Frenchman went further than ever before in listening to Real’s offer then, but Arsenal are confident he will sign another deal to stay with them next year, says the Mail.

A bigger load of you know what I have never read…AW is Arsenal for life!

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Eldo71

Arsenal fan for 40 years. Schoolboys, North Bank, Clock End then East Upper. Then Emirates. AFC dream team: Wilson, Dixon, Sansom, Adams, Pates, Brady, Williams, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry, Wright. Subs: Seaman, Eldridge, Wilshere, RVP, Ball. Manager: Arsene Chapman.