Walcott - England have nothing to fear

By Chris Harris

Theo Walcott insists that England have "nothing to fear" at the World Cup Finals.

European champions Spain and perennial favourites Brazil head the betting for this summer's tournament but Fabio Capello's appointment as England coach has rejuvenated the Three Lions.

They qualified for the World Cup with plenty to spare, winning nine of their ten matches and scoring 34 goals. The United States, Algeria and Slovenia will try to block England's path to the knockout stages in South Africa but Walcott believes they can go a long way.

"We've got to believe that we can win the tournament," he told Arsenal.com. "Obviously Spain are one of the big favourites, they won the European Championships and that was a great achievement. But we've got nothing to fear because we've got some fantastic players.

"If you look at us individually there are some great players and if you look at the way we qualified, with flying colours, it shows that those individuals are playing together as a team now. We just want to go that one step further now at the World Cup and bring it back for the fans."

Walcott has been named in Capello's provisional 30-man squad for the tournament and will wait to see if he makes the cut when the Italian announces his final 23.

Four years ago the then teenager was a shock inclusion in Sven Goran Eriksson's England squad but he didn't make it onto the pitch in Germany. But Walcott believes he is now ready to make his mark on the world stage.

"I've been to a World Cup already and hopefully it will be a different story this time. I was only 17 [at the 2006 Finals], I was a baby-faced kid just enjoying the occasion. But I'm 21 now and I will get on with it and try to make my mark.

"I've learned a lot since then with the experience I've had in the Premier League, working with the boss [Arsène Wenger] and the players. I am learning to use my pace at the right time and I know that I will be judged on my goals and assists."

[Tuesday, May 18, 2010]

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