Theo Walcott

Many international sports are becoming popular across the globe. Citizens of other countries are becoming avid followers of the game. One game that seems to have a large global appeal is football. There are numerous organized football leagues all over the world. Perhaps the most successful one of these to be exported is the English Premier League. More than 200 countries are able to watch the sport live. These foreign TV rights bring in additional revenue for the Premier League which is almost £500 million annually.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has become the latest injury victim for the England national team after it was revealed that the 23-year-old winger will be missing the friendly match against Italy that will take place on Wednesday. Roy Hodgson will have the chance to experiment with a number of new players, but he would have been hoping to have the Arsenal winger Theo Walcott in his team. Theo Walcott is coming on the back of an impressive season with Arsenal, which has led to rumours linking him with a move to the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has said that he is extremely optimistic about the chances of England at the forthcoming major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup 2014 and the Euro 2016. England failed to once again progressed past the quarter-final stage of a major competition after they lost on penalties to Italy.

Theo Walcott has been one of the surprise packages of the England's Euro 2012 campaign. Even though his Arsenal teammates Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain was preferred to the starting line-up in the match against France, Theo Walcott proved his quality in the latter stages of the tournament.

Many expected Theo Walcott to miss out on the Euro 2012 after injuring his hamstring severely in the match against Chelsea a few weeks ago. Theo Walcott refused to come out off the pitch, despite being diagnosed with a hamstring problem.

Arsene Wenger later criticised the England midfielder by saying that he should not stretch himself too much beyond the limit. It was expected that they are Walcott would be unavailable for the new manager to pick for the Euro 2012. However, just before the West Brom match, the final match of the season for Arsenal, it was revealed that Theo Walcott could be back into the first-team reckoning.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has said that he expects Arsenal's Japanese winger Ryo Miyaichi to play a major part at Arsenal next season.

Ryo Miyaichi is currently on a loan deal at Bolton Wanderers till the end of the season. He has been doing extremely well according to Theo Walcott, as he has been providing fear within the hearts of defenders with his runs. The successful loan spell at Bolton has enriched the careers of Daniel Sturridge and Jack Wilshire. Theo Walcott believes it will be the case with Ryo Miyaichi as well when he returns from his loan spell next season.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has said that he was nervous at times while playing along with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Henry is thought to be one of the greatest strikers to have ever played for Arsenal. Henry also recently had a statue unveiled in commemoration with his various achievement for Arsenal over the years. The striker now plays for MLS side New York red Bulls, but Theo Walcott says that one of the main reasons for him underachieving in the past was Henry.

Arsene Wenger has said that he is concerned about Theo Walcott's persistent injury problems. Walcott, 21, faces up to six weeks out after damaging his ankle in England's 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Switzerland on Tuesday.

Wenger said: "It is frustrating for him. You never know what kind of psychological impact it has. The mental side is always a question mark when a player gets injuries."