Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is grateful for the faith shown by England national team manager Roy Hodgson in calling him into the Three Lions’ fold after a long injury-induced layoff and he is determined to repay the manager's trust.
Walcott suffered cruciate ligament damage in January last year during an FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur, following which he made his first Arsenal appearance in ten months in November last year during their league outing against Burnley.
It took the 26-year-old exactly an year to make his first start for the Gunners when he played in the FA Cup tie against Hull City on 4th January this year.
Hodgson brought Walcott on as a 77th minute substitute in England’s 4-0 win over Lithuania in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday. The forward is in line for another appearance when the Three Lions take on Antonio Conte’s Italy in a friendly tonight.
And Walcott is grateful for the confidence that England manager has shown in him and he is eager to return the favour with his performances.
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“The manager was fantastic and he gave me a call when I’d just got back for Arsenal and he just wanted me to be amongst the squad, which was nice”, he told the FA.
“I really wanted to come, so it’s nice that I wasn’t forgotten about. The manager has always had the faith in me.
“That’s what you want from a manager, someone who believes in you.
“I just want to repay that faith.”
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