Arsenal's Theo Walcott optimistic his Burnley performance will silence his detractors

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is hoping that his showing in the Gunners 3-1 victory over Burnley on Saturday will help turn his season around.

The England international, who will celebrate his 21^st birthday this month, scored the game-winning goal at the Emirates, giving Arsenal three crucial points that helped them keep pace with Manchester United in the Premier League title race.

The young striker has acknowledged that it has been a tough time for him, with Saturday’s strike only his second this term.

"I have had so many injuries this season, people don't realise how hard it is to come back from setbacks after setbacks after setbacks," he said

"You can't be at your best straight away and if you think you can, then you put more pressure on yourself. That's what I had been doing this season."

There has been so much expected of him for Arsenal and England, that his struggles are often magnified by his critics, but Walcott feels that he is coming along well, and just needs to stay on the field.

"My development has gone very well. I am only 20 still and I have been in the limelight all the time," he said.

"As a young player, you normally do your development in the background and build yourself up, but the World Cup 2006 call-up shot the pressure on me straight away.