Arsenal news: Theo Walcott reveals he has improved due to a change of attitude in pre-season
England winger has been in blistering form having had a poor couple of seasons - and admitted he was not focused enough in the past
THEO WALCOTT puts his upturn in form down to a change in attitude in pre-season, claiming that something "woke up in his system".
The speedy England winger, 27, has been at the Gunners for a decade, but the past couple of seasons have been characterised by poor form and injury - and at the end of last campaign, he was kept out by youngster Alex Iwobi.
That culminated in him missing out on the England squad for the European Championship - before a summer of self reflection and change where he abandoned plans to establish himself as a striker and returned to the wing.
And this season, he has started all six of Arsenal's Premier League games this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the process including one in their 3-0 win over Chelsea last weekend.
Walcott spoke today of his recent good form and admitted he was not focused enough in the past.
He said: "Me and the manager sat down and I’ve just looked at myself. There’s no point dwelling on the past – that’s what I’m like.
related stories
"I’ve just been working tremendously hard and I know what I can do. It’s just come down to that to be fair.
"I found it difficult towards the end of last season, I didn't get many opportunities.
"I spoke to many people and woke up something in my system - I am completely different.
“I want this team to do well and you can see that in my desire and the way that I’m playing at the moment. Maybe in the past I was thinking about others and not myself.
"But now I want it more than anyone else, but that’s just me and the way that I work. It’s a shame maybe it should have hit me a few years ago because there’s been a slight change in my whole attitude.
"I just want to do better and better, after all the faith people have had in me. Maybe in the past I was thinking about others rather than myself, and I think it's about getting the balance right.
"There are always ups and downs, but it's all about now, and now it is going well."
His boss Arsene Wenger recently saluted enigmatic striker Walcott's mental strength to cope with massive ups and downs with England during his Arsenal career.
Watch ALL the goals from the Premier League before anyone else for FREE plus all the latest news, fixtures and results and live match commentary all on the go with the new Sun Football App –