Walcott putting World Cup snub behind him

Soccer Betting Lines

08/30/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The biggest decisions most 16-year-old boys have to make involve a choice of which car to buy, which girl to ask to the dance, or what their Facebook status will be.

But Theo Walcott was not your typical 16-year-old.

Instead of facing such life-altering decisions, Walcott's biggest concern involved which English soccer powerhouse he would allow to pay him millions of dollars.

He had teams like Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United among others clamoring for his services, and in the end he completed a move from Southampton to Arsenal to begin a a five-year period of great highs and equally significant lows.

At 17, Walcott got to experience the euphoria of being a shock inclusion in former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's 2006 World Cup squad, despite the fact that he had yet to start a Premiership match for the Gunners.

Although he failed to see any time in Germany at the World Cup, Walcott made his first big impression in a World Cup qualifying match for England at Croatia in September 2008, scoring a hat trick in England's 4-1 win.

But those three goals remain the only three that he has scored in international competition, and after suffering through an injury-plagued season for Arsenal that saw him limited to only 15 starts because of shoulder, back, knee and hamstring problems, Walcott was left off of Fabio Capello's 23- man World Cup squad this past summer, marking a low point in his career.

Walcott admitted that the decision left him in tears, but once he got past the initial disappointment, it was time to look forward to this season.

"I had a good think about it, didn't blame anyone. I had a nice break and went away and relaxed," Walcott told Sky Sports. "I've had a great preseason, I wanted to get playing and show what I can do.

"I had a lot of injuries last season. This season is more to push on and get on the goal sheet a little more often."

And Walcott has done nothing to disappoint, scoring four goals in two starts so far this season, while also displaying an improved ability to finish.

Walcott has found a home on the right wing in a talented Arsenal attack, and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger believes that he used his World Cup snub as motivation heading into this season.

"He is a guy who keeps his feet on the ground," Wenger told the Telegraph. "He takes life in a positive way. The glass is half-full, not half-empty. So he took that as another challenge. That's what's amazing about Theo.

"He is 21, he is now at an age when players normally start. He is not at the peak of his game. He has to keep his attitude right. And he has to avoid injury."

That last part is one of the main things that has defined Walcott's young career so far, with injury problems limiting him to just 28 starts over the past two seasons for Arsenal.

When he signed with the Gunners as a precocious 16-year-old, the club certainly had to hope for more return on its investment over the first three years than the nine goals in 86 appearances that Walcott delivered.

But Wenger is right to remind everyone that Walcott is, after all, just 21, and that his best years are still to come.

It will be interesting to see if Walcott can maintain his high level of performance over the course of the season, since staying healthy and being consistent have been two things that have so far eluded him in his career.

Following a disastrous World Cup, England fans will no doubt be looking for any signs of progress as the team begins its Euro 2012 qualifying campaign on Friday with a match against Bulgaria.

Capello himself is in a similar position as Walcott, with both looking to prove themselves all over again and trying to turn the page from this past summer.

So it was no surprise that Walcott found himself included in Capello's team, with another chance to prove that he is anything but ordinary.

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Pacific-10 Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Stanford

Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.

Should be in:

Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.

Southeastern Conference odds
Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State

It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it.

Work left to do:

Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney.

Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable.

Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

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