Theo Walcott has vowed to give Barcelona a run for their money again when Arsenal head to the Nou Camp tomorrow.
The Gunners looked all but out of the UEFA Champions League following a brilliant opening by the Spaniards to the quarter-final first leg at Emirates Stadium last week, where they dominated the opening stages and went on to take what looked a commanding 2-0 lead.
However, the introduction of the England winger helped turn the match, as Walcott ripped full-back Maxwell to shreds and slotted in an impressive individual goal before a late penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas levelled a dramatic tie at 2-2.
If I can create space for some of the others, then that is all part of my job. It is a nice thing to have people talking good things - I just have to do it on the pitch.
Theo Walcott ahead of the Barcelona clash
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the impact of the 21-year-old, who produced an efficient display when restored to the starting XI in the English Premier League against Wolves on Saturday.
Walcott would like nothing more than to be given another chance to impress against the European champions. "As a winger, an attacking player, you always have to be on the front foot. Hopefully I can get at them and will give them a problem," Walcott said. "If I can create space for some of the others, then that is all part of my job. It is a nice thing to have people talking good things - I just have to do it on the pitch."
Walcott - who netted a famous hat-trick for England in the FIFA World Cup™ qualifying win away to Croatia last season - is relishing the chance to play at one of the world's most renowned footballing venues. "I have been to some fantastic stadiums in my short career so far, and this could potentially top that, especially with the result," he said. "The main thing, though, is getting the win and to be part of that would be something."
Keeping faith
Despite Arsenal's injury problems - with Alex Song today joining captain Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin, William Gallas and Robin van Persie on the sidelines - Walcott insists Arsene Wenger's men must keep the faith. "We have got to believe we can come here and get a result, there is no point playing within ourselves, we have all got to be at it," he said. "There are some big players missing, but players will come in and do a job. We just have to work 100%, that is all we can do."
Walcott added: "Barcelona played some fantastic football at times in the first half last week, and was some of the best I have even seen a team play. However, they seemed to die off a bit in the last 20 minutes and if we can keep it 0-0, or sneak an early goal hopefully we can upset the fans, keep them all quiet.
"We have scored a lot of late goals this season, especially in the Premier League, so hopefully we can believe and can do it again."
source : fifa.com
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