Walcott and Gibbs ready for Under-21 final

England are in the final of a major international competition. This is worth talking about. The fact it is against Germany makes it even more exciting. Then, you can add the fact that Arsenal’s very own Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs will be representing England on Monday night.

It is excellent to see Arsenal with two young English players with bags of potential and there is no doubt that both Gibbs and Walcott will have a major role to play for Stuart Pearce’s men in the final.

With Frazier Campbell and Gabriel Agbonlahor suspended for the Germany game, Walcott is likely to perform in a lone striker role and will be the main attacking threat for Pearce on the night.

Speaking about the prospect of playing in the final, Walcott said that the whole squad ‘can’t wait’ for the game to begin. He also says how he is ‘buzzing’ at the prospect of winning a competition where everyone involved has been ‘fantastic throughout’.

Walcott also revealed how the whole experience has been very beneficial for him. Some had questioned his involvement in an Under-21 tournament given his experience with the full international team, but he says that it has been ‘fantastic here in Sweden.’

He went on to say he is determined to ‘get England’s name on that trophy’. Nothing has been achieved yet according to the Arsenal man because all he wants to do is come home with his head held high after winning a major competition with England.

This is, of course, something he will be hoping to do next summer with Fabio Capello’s England squad. Walcott is likely to be one of the main players for the Italian in next summer’s World Cup and this experience in Sweden will surely do him plenty of good.

All he needs to do now is prove why he has made an impact on the World Stage with the full England side. Walcott needs to show this Under-21 tournament that he is one of the best young players around. By starting up front on Monday, he has a great chance to show what he can do. Hopefully, he will make Arsenal proud to call him their own.

As for Gibbs, well his reputation has improved no end during this tournament. He has shown a fantastic ability to cope with pressure and proved to Arsene Wenger that he can handle it on the big stage. Does anybody think he can compete with Gael Clichy for a starting spot at left-back next season?

Overall, big things are expected of Gibbs and Walcott in the future. They should have great success with both club and country. For now though, they need to concentrate on beating Germany on Monday to help England win a major European competition. This won’t look at all bad on their football CV, it has to be said.

By Thomas Rooney