Walcott answers critics with left foot in Arsenal win

London: Should Theo Walcott end up at the World Cup this summer, playing in the right-wing spot that once looked to be his destiny, we will regard this match as the moment when he proved his strength of mind.

Only a few days ago, Walcott was taking a hammering for his anonymous display in the international friendly against Egypt.

"He just doesn't understand the game," said Chris Waddle, breaking ranks from the wingers' union. But Walcott certainly understood what was required when Arsenal's centre-forward, Nicklas Bendtner, turned into a miscue machine against Burnley.

He needed to step inside, beat his man, and shoot for the far post. The same routine left-footer, in other words, that made his name against Croatia two years ago. "He did what a player has to do: not talk in the newspapers, but do your talking on the pitch," said Arsene Wenger after the game.

"It shows that he is mentally strong. I was interested to see how he would respond today. You never know how deeply it affects you, when you get criticised, and the way he answered that at his age is remarkable."

Anxiety

Walcott's goal gave Arsenal a 2-1 lead after an hour's play, and allowed the home fans to stop grinding their teeth in anxiety. This was not the script they had expected. Wenger's team had come into the game knowing that a 4-0 win would take them to the top of the table, for a couple of hours at least. But such ambitious plans had to be forgotten as soon as David Nugent brought Burnley level, five minutes into the second half.

How had it come to this? How could the Premier League's leakiest travellers have come to the Emirates, a place where average teams have been ruthlessly exposed all season, and kept Arsenal within range?

The answer had little to do with Burnley's chaotic defence. Rather, it was down to a ham-footed display from Bendtner, who must have muffed at least six clear chances.

Wenger reshuffled his pack in response to last week's horrible injury to Aaron Ramsey, whose absence was reflected in Arsenal's "Get well soon, Aaron" T-shirts. Samir Nasri took over the central supply role instead, and made the most of it.

It was Nasri's delightful chip, which landed on Cesc Fabregas' boot as gently as a butterfly, that created the first goal. Unfortunately for Wenger, Fabregas had to go off with a tweaked hamstring five minutes later, and he will be a doubt for Porto tomorrow.