Walcott tipped for World Cup place

On a rather gloomy day where everyone's more than a bit confused about what they saw from Arsenal last night, here's something we can all have a bit of a laugh about.

Mark Lawrenson, speaking to mirrorfootball.co.uk, still believes that, not only can Theo Walcott be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young and Shaun Wright-Phillips, but that the bumbling Arsenal winger should in fact be first choice for England at this summer's World Cup!

Walcott, who has only made a handful of appearances for Arsenal this season (and looked League One quality at best) is still living off that England hat-trick he scored against Croatia nearly two years ago.

Lawrenson believes Theo's performance that night shows that he is more ready for the big stage than the other contenders for the right midfield position.

He said: "When Capello looks down the list at players for the right wing slot then Walcott at his best gets the nod ahead of the other contenders.

"Walcott is still the only player out of the other young pretenders who has delivered on the really big stage for England.

"That hat trick in Croatia during the qualifying campaign may have raised expectations on Walcott's shoulders.

"But it also proved that he can do it for England when he's in the spotlight and on the big occasion."

The former Liverpool man feels that Spurs winger Lennon is Theo's main contender for a place in Fabio Capello's side.

"Aaron Lennon has got bags of potential, has been having a great season for Tottenham and they have really missed him in recent weeks.

"Lennon has come closest and the good thing about him now is that he is having a good season, is working on his game - in terms of passing, finishing and crossing - and also has competition for places at Tottenham.

"Lennon has looked good in patches and his recent performances for England give him a good chance. He's got pace, runs at players and enjoyed a strong finish to the qualifying campaign

"Shaun Wright-Phillips has done OK for Manchester City while Ashley Young's form has dipped alarmingly for Aston Villa this season."

I'll admit that Wright-Phillips is a bit inconsistent and Young is prone to quiet and stroppy phases, but these guys are all so much better than Walcott it's just depressing.

And he's forgotten the likes of James Milner and even Man City's new boy Adam Johnson, not to mention that guy AC Milan have on loan at the moment, he seems alright.

If people stop thinking about that hat-trick in Croatia and actually watch the guy attempt to play football, then maybe people will see that the only good Walcott could do in South Africa this summer is as a ball boy. That blistering pace of his should give him the edge over other ball boys.

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