Theo Walcott

Athlete

38 Quotes

The Champions League is massive. I've had so much experience. I'm only 23, and yet I've played so much in the Champions League, and not many players my age would have had that experience.

I like going to New York because I don't get recognised there - although, the first time I was there, I'd only been in the city an hour when the tallest guy came up to me on Fifth Avenue and said my name, gave me a high-five, and then just walked off.

I'll play anywhere for Arsenal, but hopefully, given my chance up front, I can do something, because I've always been more of a striker than a winger, and I think I could show a bit more up front.

A coach was managing the Newbury team, and he wanted me to play for his local team, and from there, I did it at district level, and then I got picked for Southampton.

I travel pretty regularly throughout the football season with Arsenal and England, but we don't really get to explore. In the summer months, I get about four or five weeks off, and then I'll jet away to either the south of France, Dubai, or Italy.

I remember my first Arsenal training session and Sol Campbell going straight through me. I had a bit of a bruise, but I got straight back up and carried on. I didn't want to show them that it hurt.

A golf holiday with the guys is always nice. I'm a bit of a bandit on the golf course because I play with a handicap of 10, but I should be lower than that.

As a little kid, I wasn't even interested in football. The first time I played, I was nine, and I volunteered to go in goal, thinking it would be exciting to save penalties. In fact, it was really boring.

I'm not going to lie: I fell out of love with football for a little bit because I had some good performances but then just didn't get the chance to play on.

When I was 10 years old, my teacher got us to imagine our future. I drew a timeline of the rest of my life. I had just started playing football, so I drew pictures of me as a professional footballer.

I work on crossing the ball at pace. That's something that is not easy. And my first touch has improved, as has my understanding of the game.

Why can you not enjoy scoring and celebrating a goal for your new team with your fans? They have travelled all that way; enjoy it - simple as that. Some players choose not to, and that's fine, but it's just who I am - celebrate scoring goals. It's a great feeling.

I generally don't like it when people talk about regrets because you do your best, and you deal with the circumstances that happen.

My friend Adam gave me my first chance to play in an organised match, for Steventon, when I was 10. The team were one player short, and I joined in. I had never played before, but I came on and scored a perfect hat-trick: header, left foot, right foot.

You want to play in the massive games. We all want to be out there, doing well for the country.

Thierry Henry, without a doubt - he's an absolute legend.

I don't want to be known as a super sub. But you have got to be ready to come off the bench and make an impact if you're not in the starting team.

It can't be too bad being one of the top goalscorers at Arsenal in the Premier League, mainly as a winger as well, and three FA Cups.

People probably don't realise, but you often train harder when you're injured than when you're fit.

I tend to wear the moulds in training, but I'll always wear studs in games, as I feel like I get more grip.

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