Critics may carp but Walcott promises his best is yet to come

London: Theo Walcott has been challenged by many defenders in recent seasons but the most challenging has been Alan Hansen, the Liverpool and Scotland legend who stopped playing nearly 20 years ago. Hansen's critique of Walcott, claiming he "lacked a football brain", caused a national stir that the Arsenal flier addressed on Tuesday.

"I always watch Match of the Day," reflected Walcott, relaxing at The Grove after England training. "I love it. I always want to see the goals. I'm sitting on my own watching Match of the Day, watching the goals go in, and then go off and make myself a cup of tea."

Important people

Was Hansen his cup of tea? "The people I listen to are the boss [Arsene Wenger], Mr Capello, the players and my family. They are the most important people in my career. Hopefully people want me to do well, apart from Tottenham fans probably."

Hansen, one of the most respected voices in football, echoed Chris Waddle, the former England winger, who feels Walcott still needs to learn the craft of eluding a full-back.

Surely the views of two distinguished former players were worth absorbing?

"It's something I have to live with," shrugged Walcott. "At 21, playing for Arsenal and England is not a bad achievement so far. I am listening to the right people."

He smiled at the mention that Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker stood up for him on Match of the Day.

"I have people on my side and people not on my side," said Walcott, expanding on those whose advice he has taken.

"Andy Ritchie at Southampton always said to me ‘pass it in the net'. There's the odd time I do blast it! But I do pass it. Wenger told me to ‘be aggressive running at players'. So far this season I have been doing it."

Indeed. A hat-trick against Blackpool and a strike against Blackburn followed a strong 45 minutes for England against Hungary at Wembley.

"In the dressing room before the game, Mr Capello said: ‘Just be direct. Get at the player'." For all the understandable desire to shield a young talent, Capello and Wenger have actually been helped by Hansen and Waddle.

Walcott is far from the finished article. He is good and can get better. Remarks about his being too nice, not training enough, needing to develop his upper body strength and being over-reliant on pace were all legitimate.

Walcott had to tackle certain flaws. And he is. His maturing as a footballing force accelerated when Capello omitted him.