Walcott wants to lead the line for the Emirates Stadium club.
Arsenal star Theo Walcott believes he has earned the right to finish the season as the Gunners central striker.
The England international has made no secret of his desire to play through the middle, rather than on the wing, but German Lukas Podolski was preferred up front in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United last Sunday, in the absence of the suspended Olivier Giroud.
The Frenchman will again sit out Arsenal’s visit to relegated QPR on Saturday and Walcott, who is the club’s leading scorer this season with 19, believes he should be given the chance to play in his favoured role.
“I played a few games there and I would like a few more towards the end of the season,” Walcott is quoted as saying by The Sun.
“I scored a lot of my goals this season when playing up front, so I have shown what I can do and it is up to the manager to do what he sees is best.
“I am sure another chance will come.
“I set a 20-goal target for the season, but the biggest goal for me is to help Arsenal finish third or fourth.”
Walcott’s desire to play as a striker was reportedly crucial in his decision to sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season.
However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has hinted that he will again opt for Podolski over the former Southampton man this weekend, stressing that the German has the right qualities to lead the line.
“I believe so, he has the qualities because he is a good finisher,” Wenger said of the former Cologne star.
“He has a good technique and because we have a game based on very quick combinations, I believe he can be a part of that. Overall I am convinced in the coming games he will show it.
“A definite decision has not been made, but if there is an opportunity then there is a good chance I will do it.”
Wenger, meanwhile, believes his side have coped well with the loss of last season’s top scorer Robin van Persie to Manchester United last summer.
He added: “You want to know that you can score at least two goals in every game because it gives you a good belief.
“Overall, and considering we lost a world-class striker, I believe we have compensated quite well.”
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