Filling Henry’s boots increases pressure: Theo Walcott
Arsenal’s fiery young winger, Theo Walcott, has insisted that wearing Thierry Henry’s No. 14 shirt put him under more pressure to perform well.
The 21-year-old was given the legendary shirt number of Thierry Henry back in summers of 2007, when the Frenchman left Arsenal to join Barcelona.
Thierry Henry is Arsenal’s highest goalscorer of all time. In his 9-year stay at North London, the Frenchman scored 226 goals in 369 matches for the Gunners.
Henry, who was also part of Barcelona’s team that won six trophies in 2008-09 season including Champions League, is currently playing in the Major League Soccer for New Year Red Bulls. The Frenchman is back in London and is training with Arsenal until 19
January 2011 before going back to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/America-c38390 for the pre-season.
Theo Walcott was excited to have his mentor back in training with him, despite feeling the pressure which comes after wearing Henry’s shirt. The young Englishman claims that it is an honour for him to follow in the footsteps of Arsenal’s top scorer.
Walcott told Arsenal’s official website that there were always comparisons between him and Thierry Henry regarding the way they both play and score.
Walcott said, “It probably did add more pressure. To wear the number is a great honour. I didn't really realise at the time it was Thierry's number. As soon as I got home I told to my family and they said ‘you know whose shirt that is don't you?’”
The young right winger of Arsenal added that Thierry is like an idol to him and learning from the Frenchman was his best time in life. He continued that he played a crucial part in his development as a player and the Frenchman was always ready to help any youngster
any time of the day.
He said, “I was quite scared at first but as I got older and played with him a bit more he was fantastic. I've got a picture with Thierry [from when I first signed for Arsenal] and I look so scared. Being my hero as well, I was star-struck. Hopefully the
next young kid coming in will be star-struck and think exactly what I was thinking.”
Moreover, Arsene Wenger, who played a pivotal role in Henry’s development as a player, has also publicly claimed that Theo Walcott has every attribute to become the next http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thierry-Henry-c34918. The Frenchman believes that his young English international has a lot
to learn but in the next two to three years, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 will be Arsenal’s next Henry.
Despite being injured in the starting months of 2010-11 season, the English international has scored nine times from his 19 appearances for the Gunners so far in the season.
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