Walcott hoping for striking chance

Theo Walcott is hoping for his chance to play up front next season, despite the number of star strikers at Arsenal.

EXCLUSIVE
By Kelvin Tan in Kuala Lumpur
Both the 22-year-old and Jack Wilshere spoke to ESPNSTAR.com's Douglas Chalmers during the North London club's 2011 Asian Tour in Kuala Lumpur, and revealed their aspirations for next season.

The English duo were shocked at the sheer size of the support for the Gunners in Asia, and Wilshere said: "It's crazy, we really didn't expect it. They've been great, calling my name and everything. They watch us from Malaysia and we have to give something back as well as they support us."

"We've never been out here on a tour, usually doing a quiet one in Austria. The fans out here are brilliant, we have to really thank them", he crowed.

Walcott chipped in, saying: "Its unbelievable, we've only been here two days and it's flown by. It shows the amount of support that's out there. We don't realize how many fans we have, and this is good for the club.

The wing wizard also gave an insight towards how the Gunners were planning to use their upcoming clash against a Malaysia XI as preparation for their upcoming Barclays Premier League campaign.

"It's our first game, you want to not go through the motions, players on the fringe want to show the manager what they can do, like what Jack did last season when he played every game in the pre-season.

"I'm looking for a nice little blowout to blow the cobwebs away", he added.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has always maintained that he has seen Walcott ultimately ending up as a central striker, similar to the way Thierry Henry spent a number of years toiling at the wings, before exploding to form at the North London club after being played in the middle in 1999.

The Englishman admitted that he was eager to seize his chance this season, saying: " Hopefully I can play a little more upfront, but this is a top club, top strikers, but this season is very important to me, and the team as well.

Both Walcott and Wilshere admitted that last season's failure to win any silverware was a disappointment, but were both positive that the 2011-12 season would be the end of the Gunners trophy drought.

The 19-year-old admitted. "I think the main objective last year was a trophy and we almost did that against Birmingham [in the 2010 Carling Cup Final].

"We are a team and we have to stay strong, and be mentally strong. We have to win a trophy, we know that, not just for the fans, but for us, and the manager's been great, he's been loyal, we have to give a little back.

Wilshere also dismissed any speculation that the club would suffer, should captain Cesc Fabregas and midfield star Samir Nasri leave North London for greener pastures.

"That's just part and parcel of football", he said.

"Players come and players go, it can only be good for the team, we want to win things and at the end of the day we're a team and we have to do things together.

I'm an Arsenal fan myself, and I know we haven't won anything in six years, so next year we have to really push on and get a trophy. We know they're frustrated and so are we, but we know we can really do it."

Team-mate Walcott was just as confident that they could succeed next season.

"A club like Arsenal, we need to be challenging every year, and we need to win something. We want to keep our best players as well, and attract players too.

"I believe we can win something, theres no point in being down in the dumps, next season is gone and forgotten about and we just need to look forward."