02 August,2010 08:47 AM IST | | AFP
Theo Walcott made a point to England coach Fabio Capello as the Arsenal winger inspired his side to a 3-2 victory over Celtic that clinched the Emirates Cup yesterday.
Walcott spent the close-season nursing a bruised ego after being left out of England's World Cup squad and the winger played as if determined to show Capello what he could have brought to the team. While it is clearly much easier to shine in a pre-season tournament at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium than the World Cup, this was the kind of vibrant display that makes Walcott such a formidable force at his best.
He created goals for Carlos Vela and Samir Nasri and played a key role in Bacary Sagna's strike as well. On this evidence, Capello would be wise to recall Walcott for England's friendly against Hungary on August 11.
Despite Walcott's starring role, Celtic nearly snatched a draw as late goals from Daryl Murphy and South Korea's Ki Sung-Yueng set up a tense finish. "Theo is determined, highly determined," said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. "The season will start in two weeksu00a0 and he is sharp physically, he worked very hard and is ready," added Wenger.
