Analysis: How Arsenal stars did for England

On form Gunner Theo Walcott struck the first goal for England as they beat Estonia 2-0 at Wembley and continued their 100% record in Group E.

Despite qualification secured early, Roy Hodgson chose to play his team selection safe and deploy Spurs goal shy Harry Kane up front supported by Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana on the left and Theo on the right.

It was a dominant but pedestrian first half for England before Ross Barkley picked out Walcott with an excellent pass and Theo made no mistake to score calmly with the last touch of the first forty-five minutes.
With Kane completely anonymous, Theo continued his fine form and was the main attacking threat for the entire game drifting inside from the right, making clever runs and lifted the crowd with every touch of the ball as he drove England forward. He was desperately unlucky not to see a cracking volley go in early, but got his reward with a superbly taken goal on the stroke of half-time that made it 10 goals in 15 games for club and country.

It was a fantastic performance from the 26-year old who marks a decade in the England squad since his shock inclusion in the 2006 World Cup. His performance made a strong case for him to have a starring role in France in 2016, and it’s a promising sign for England’s hopes of a run in the tournament that he is getting games for Arsenal and replicating his awesome club form for his country.

It’s clear that playing alongside with the likes of Ozil and Sanchez seems to have improved his all round game as a forward when he was so often seen as just a sprinter. His runs and movement are superb, and his finishing has also improved drastically.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has become a regular starter throughout the campaign, came on for Adam Lallana in the 73rd minute but had little time to make an impact.

Kieran Gibbs remained on the bench in this game, but will likely get a chance against Lithuania to push for the left back slot left vacant by Luke Shaw’s terrible injury.

Expect to see at least one Arsenal star start against Lithuania on Tuesday and look to help England be only the sixth team to finish a European Championship qualifying campaign with a 100% win record.

Thoughts go out Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere who before cruel injuries were in superb form for England in the campaign.