Walcott settled and raring to go ahead of Sweden

Jun 13, 2012 11:20:00 AM

The winger says all the players have settled into the hotel in Krakow well and are looking forward to the challenge of facing a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-inspired Sweden on Friday

England winger Theo Walcott says he is relishing the opportunity to face Sweden this week, after describing his side's opener against France as encouraging.

Despite only appearing as a late substitute in Donetsk, the Arsenal attacker is prepared to take his chance, as the Three Lions settled into the European Championship with a draw against France.

"I am excited for Friday night," he told the Football Association's website.

"The game the other day was always going to be tough. A draw was a good start, but you can always improve.

"We have to score more goals because we don’t concede many. We are training very hard and the manager and staff have been great with all the preparation. We just have to make sure we do it for the fans on Friday and get the win.

"It is a solid start. Ukraine will be tough when we come to that game as well. We just have to think we need to win the next two games and don’t worry about anyone else, but we will make sure we are ready."

Based in Krakow, Walcott insists that despite having to travel to Kiev to face Sweden in Ukraine, the squad are settling in extremely well.

"The lads are in the game room after lunch and dinner playing table tennis, Fifa, snooker - it's all happening," he added.

	THEO ON TARGET?
10/3	Theo Walcott is 10/3 to score anytime for England against Sweden with William Hill

"I am not bad on Fifa but I have gone to the table tennis, I am jumping from one and two seed.

"It is quite important for the team to be together before the matches to prepare well. It is trying to make it as normal as possible like it as club level. It is working and it is going quite well.

"A lot of people seem to forget what goes on in the background. Everything is done for us here, we are well treated, people will never see that. We have to thank them as well. They are all great. I don’t want to leave anyone out but everyone here is fantastic."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Madrid see red after Copa carnage
Cristiano Ronaldo was dismissed as los Blancos lost their heads during a dramatic 2-1 final defeat by their city rivals in an epic final at the Santiago Bernabeu
Player Ratings: Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid (aet)
Goal was on hand to cast a critical eye over the dramatic events at Santiago Bernabeu
Falcao throwing his career away by signing for Monaco
The Colombian is quite rightly regarded as one of the most lethal finishers in world football but he now seems set to take a step down in level solely for financial gain
Cartoon: Mourinho & Ronaldo sent packing
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
David Beckham's 10 most memorable moments
As the former England captain announces his intention to retire at the end of the season, Goal looks back on his finest feats - both on and off the football field.