Arsenal

Arsenal striker Theo Walcott: 'Thank Thierry Henry for my red-hot form'

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 07 October 2015

In-form Arsenal striker Theo Walcott says that his surge in goalscoring has been inspired by analysis from Gunners legend Thierry Henry.

Theo Walcott has claimed that pointers from legendary Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has played a big role in his red-hot form so far this season.

The 26-year-old appears to have enjoyed a seamless transition to playing up front for the Gunners after spending much of his career on the wing, netting four times in six starts.

Henry, the club's record goalscorer with 228 strikes, returned to Arsenal in a coaching role, and Walcott says that advice from the talismanic Frenchman is linked with his early-season heroics.

"Having Thierry at the club now, I have been chatting to him on a personal level behind the scenes to learn things from him," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "He's with the Under-18s and, at times, I think some of them don't even know who he is! I've had quite a few words with him about some of the games I've played.

"He has just given me his analysis on myself and, if I've needed to ask him some questions about it, he's always there. That's what coaches are there for. I think, sometimes, you see this generation of players, they're actually scared to go up to coaches and ask something.

"Going back to the question about when it clicked about going up front, that was one of the things Arsene wanted me to do – to be more aggressive on the pitch. And maybe he's sensed that I've had more aggression."

Walcott grabbed two assists as Arsenal - who sit second in the Premier League table, two points behind Manchester City - thrashed Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday.