• Premier League

Walcott content with winger role

ESPN staff
May 7, 2013
Theo Walcott wants to see Arsenal clinch a Champions League spot © Getty Images
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Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has insisted his personal scoring ambitions have been put on hold as he focuses on helping the team secure another season of Champions League football.

Walcott fired his 20th goal of an impressive campaign in Saturday's 1-0 win against QPR at Loftus Road, further pushing his claims to be given a chance to star in the central striking role he has long craved.

But the England international says his individual aspirations are of secondary importance to Arsenal's collective objectives, as they prepare for their final two games of the season against Wigan and Newcastle.

"I wanted the team to be where we should be rather than reaching my personal goals," Walcott told the club's official website. "I really want us to get Champions League football because we deserve it.

"We have been up and down this season and so have a lot of clubs, but we are getting the points on the board now when it matters. We cannot worry about the other teams, just get our points on the board and try to win our last two games.

"Every game is tight and everyone is fighting for their lives. We know teams will have to come at us, but we have great strength on the counter-attack and hopefully we can utilise that."

Walcott confirmed his 20th goal of the campaign last weekend enabled him to reach the pre-season target he had set himself, yet boss Arsene Wenger has hinted that he will stick with Germany international Lukas Podolski in the central striking role until Olivier Giroud returns from suspension.

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