Theo Walcott just wants his chance at Arsenal

That run. Arsene Wenger called it the worst week of his managerial career as Arsenal crashed out of contention in Europe and the Premier League to arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester United. But if there were such a thing as a glimmer of consolation, maybe it was in "that run" by a teenage whippet prematurely written off as too fragile in some quarters.

He's no bull, Theo Walcott. He is a polite, neat, almost delicate young man with matching diamonds twinkling in his ears, immaculate sideburns and unscuffed white trainers. So far, so the image. But for one brief, perhaps life-changing moment at Anfield 11 days ago, this young footballer turned into a charging rhino. Liverpool players were knocked down like red skittles as he vented a season's fury and frustration upon them. Eighty yards later, a slipped pass inside to Emmanuel Adebayor set up the goal that meant Arsenal were six minutes from the Champions League semi-final. It was the kind of transformation that only happens in Disney films. It was his Cinderella moment.

"I dunno how it happened. I wasn't thinking. Gerrard miskicked the ball, then I got past Alonso, then Aurelio - he should have taken me down, really - and then Mascherano tried to keep up - I've seen it on telly loads of times and he's busting a gut trying to catch up, bless him - then I've got past Hyypia as well and crossed to Aby. Hyypia come up after the game and wanted my shirt, so that was nice. It was mixed emotions for myself. Shame we went out.

"It was lack of concentration really, wasn't it? We were all on a high and we weren't focused. I think I was still up the other end of the field celebrating." His honesty is disarming. No doubt Wenger was livid that his inexperienced Arsenal team were able to hang on to their advantage for no more than a minute before Kolo Toure gave away a penalty. But he must have appreciated Walcott's effort. So did his former England manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson. "It was a bit like Maradona, wasn't it?" he said, breaking a lifetime's habit of boring quotes. Walcott laughed. (He is half the width of Maradona, for a start.) "That's a lot to live up to," he observed calmly. "But people did take notice of that run. Lately, I've had a lot of stuff that's overshadowed me - like the awful Eduardo situation and getting a draw in the last couple of seconds against Birmingham when I'd scored my first two Premier League goals."

For every sweet moment, there has been a bitter aftertaste. Walcott has been what they call these days "an impact player", a position known in simpler days as super-sub. He has only started 16 games this season, appearing 19 times from the bench. It happened again in that fateful contest against Liverpool. He came on in the 72nd minute for the erratic Emmanuel Eboue and suddenly started playing like the Incredible Hulk.

"Maybe I was just angry because I hadn't started. I just wanted to show what I could do. I've only ever started two games in a row before I'm dropped again. I wasn't really thinking about anything before the game, or even during it. In previous days, I'd be thinking too much. It would all get caught in my head and put pressure on me. But lately my mind's been clear. I don't know why. I am just enjoying playing more.

"It was an aggressive run. I've been going to the gym a lot more. I'm getting stronger. People don't realise I'm only 19 and still growing. I'm 5ft 9in and I've been working on my upper body really hard. That run could have been taking out all my frustrations on Liverpool. " He has no idea if he will start today against Reading at the Emirates, but the chances are that both manager and supporters are reassessing the teenage prodigy bought for £5?million (a world record for his age) from Southampton a little over two years ago. Maybe Bambi is growing antlers after all. There were signs he was growing (politely) impatient.

"I had a word with the manager in October. I basically said: 'What do I have to do to start a game?' He said: 'You've got to be a bit more aggressive. Not kicking people. But running at players, doing defensive duties and tucking into midfield when we haven't got the ball." Of late, I've been doing all those things, but I still haven't had a run in the starting line-up. Hopefully this weekend I will, and if not I'll knock on the door again and say: 'Now what do I have to do?'

"The Boss is a brilliant man to talk to but I am scared really. I was on Mrs and Mrs [the new ITV show] with my girlfriend, Mel, and one of the questions was: 'Who are you most scared of? Mel's Dad, my Dad or Arsene Wenger?' I said Arsene. Mel got it wrong. She said my Dad. But it shows that I should have respect for myself for approaching Arsene. It's quite difficult for a young player to knock on his door, so it was quite scary. But nice." 'Scary but nice' is an appropriate motto for Walcott's Emirates career.

Source:Telegraph