Theo: I don't worry about Hansen criticism

Theo Walcott has told Alan Hansen: Your jibes don’t bother me.

Match of the Day pundit Hansen claimed Walcott “did not have a football brain” after the Arsenal winger scored a hat-trick against Blackpool 11 days ago.

That accusation was first coined by ex-England winger Chris Waddle, but it was the timing of Hansen’s stinging criticism which surprised BBC viewers.

But Walcott, 21, refuses to be riled by the former Liverpool defender.

The Gunners star even revealed he watched his treble against Blackpool with ­girlfriend Melanie Slade, saw Hansen’s analysis, and far from throwing a strop just made himself a cup of tea.

“I always watch Match of the Day,” said Walcott. “I love watching it. I always want to see the goals.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But the people I listen to are Arsene Wenger, Mr Capello, the players and my family.

“They are the most ­important people in my career and I do my talking on the pitch.

“If it’s constructive criticism you want to look at it now and then. I have people on my side and people not on my side.

“You have ups and downs. It’s one of those things that happen to a footballer.”

Walcott has scored four goals in his opening two games for Arsenal – not a bad return for a brainless footballer.

Hansen did admit Walcott is good when he does things instinctively, although instinct does come from the mind.

It is a logic that Walcott refuses to let upset him. Instead, he has worked hard on his game since being left out of the World Cup squad and suffering two seasons of injury frustration.

Walcott regularly stays behind after training with Arsenal – persuading defender Bacary Sagna and rookie keeper Vito Mannone to help – to practice on his game, working on his crossing, ­positional play and final pass.

It seems to be paying rich dividends because he looks sharp, fully fit and a firm favourite to start against Bulgaria in England’s opening Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley on Friday night.

Walcott said: “I always want to improve and I’ve been staying on after training, ­practising my crossing and finishing.

“I want to play every game when I can, especially after having so many injuries last season.

“I had a good pre-season and no injuries, I’m going into every game now not thinking about getting injured, just enjoying myself, and that’s when the best football comes out. That’s all I can do.”

Walcott has worked hard in the gym over the summer, strengthening his upper body to make him harder to knock off the ball.

But he admits he was left shell-shocked by his World Cup omission.

Walcott, who has 12 caps and three goals for his country, added: “Yes of course (I was angry). You want to play in the biggest competitions in the world. You want to play against the best. And you want to play for England.

“But I couldn’t point fingers at anyone. I had to blame myself because the form wasn’t there at the end of the season and I just wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again.

“I didn’t have the best year last season. So many injuries stuttered the whole season, but I think I’m a bit more mature now. I’m looking after myself better.

“But I’ve been doing well for Arsenal, so we’ll see what happens for England.

“I won’t get ahead of myself. I’ll try to be in the team first and train well. As long as I do that, I hope I can try to provide something for England.”