Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin has urged Theo Walcott to show more consistency this season following his dazzling performance against Blackpool.

Walcott bagged a hat-trick in what has been described as his best performance in an Arsenal shirt as they thrashed the Seasider’s 6-0.

With his quality, he must play like this every game and we expect him to play like this.

Andrey Arshavin

Following his omission from England’s World Cup squad, Walcott has to win over a lot of doubters who have questioned certain aspects if his game, particularly his decision making.

But Arshavin believes that such is the 21-year-old’s potential, a good campaign from him this time around could lead the Gunners to silverware.

“With his quality, he must play like this every game and we expect him to play like this,” the Russian told talkSPORT.

“I think he will help and if he scores in every game we will win (the Premier League) for sure.”

Arsenal are 6.00 to win the Premier League 2010/11.

Fellow midfielder Tomas Rosicky claims the best way for Walcott to maintain his form is by continuing to ignore his critics.

“I just hope he will not play football to answer his critics or something,” Rosicky told talkSPORT.

“I think the best way is to go out and enjoy his football – that’s always what worked for me.

“Let’s go out and enjoy the game and I think he enjoyed it (against Blackpool).”

Arshavin insists that the Premier League remains as strong as ever and can sees its four representatives among only six teams who can become European champions this year.

“It was by chance because Inter had (Jose) Mourinho and, of course, they deserved to win,” he said.

“But I see now only six teams can win – four from England and two from Spain (Real Madrid and Barcelona).”

Arsenal are 15.00 to win the Champions League 2010/11.

Next-up for the Gunners is a trip to Blackburn and, although the new campaign is only just under way, Rosicky claims the Gunners must win at Ewood Park if they are to challenge for the title.

“Last season, I think we lost there,” he said.

“We know it will be a completely different game but if you want to be title contenders – which I think we are – we have to win there.”

Match betting has Blackburn at 6.00 to win in 90 minutes, while Arsenal can be backed at 1.57 and the draw 4.00.

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Joe Hart is hoping that a season as Manchester City’s number one will help him cement his place as England’s goalkeeper for their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

The 23-year-old made his first full international start last night and impressed in England’s 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary at Wembley.

Hart impressed while at loan at Birmingham last season and forced his way into Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad, but the stopper is now back at Eastlands and is fighting Shay Given for a place in goal.

Roberto Mancini is yet to confirm his first choice ‘keeper for this season but it is expected that whoever is selected for Saturday’s game with Spurs will be his number one.

On the Full Time Result market Tottenham are 2.40 to get a crucial early victory, while it is 3.00 that Man City pick-up the three points and 3.30 that the match ends a draw.

Hart admits that any hopes he has of holding onto the gloves with England will depend on persuading Mancini to play him on a regular basis for City.

“It was nice to get the start but a few goalkeepers weren’t involved in the squad so I’m going to have to keep my head down and play well at club level,” he said.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge to stay as England number one. I can’t take anything for granted.

“It will be very important that I’m playing regularly at City but we’ll just have to wait and see who the manager picks on Saturday (for City’s game against Tottenham).

“I have to be confident that I will start. I really want to play and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully the manager will pick me.”

Manchester City are 7.00 to win the Premier League 2010/11.

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Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher expects to have to prove himself all over again when the new season gets underway.

The 32-year-old had a torrid start to the 2009/10  campaign, mirroring the club’s early problems, and looked an apparent shadow of his former self.

However, as the season progressed he rediscovered his best form and even managed to earn a call up to the England 2010 World Cup squad.

But with the arrival of new manager Roy Hodgson – and teenage centre-back Danny Wilson from Rangers – the defender knows his reputation will count for little if he cannot back it up with performances.

“You never know what might happen,” said Carragher as he prepared to enter his 15th season in the Liverpool first team.

“Last year after a few games, the whole world had written me off and said I was finished.

“But in the second half of the season, along with Javier Mascherano and Pepe (Reina), I was probably one of the most consistent players and when you look at how the defence played, we managed to keep 18 clean sheets.

“That’s gone now and you have to do it all again. There is going to be a challenge and it has always been the case that players will want to take your place but you just have to be ready for the challenge.

“I played every week for Rafa for six years but I’ve got to prove myself again.

“Even if Rafa had still been here that would have been the case.

“There will be a time when I don’t play 50 games a season but I’ve no intention of it happening this year.”

Liverpool get their 2010/11 Premier League season started on Sunday with the visit of Arsenal to Anfield. Full Time Result betting has Liverpool at 2.50 to win the opener, with Arsenal 2.87 and the draw 3.25.

Although everyone at the Merseyside club is keen to forget last season, when the club suffered early exits from the Champions League and FA Cup and slipped to their worst Barclays Premier League finish – seventh – in over a decade, Carragher believes they must learn from the disappointment and build on the positives.

“You have got to remember that right until the end, we were still in with a chance of getting into the top four,” added the vice-captain.

“I know people are writing us off and saying we have got no chance but I’ve no doubt that we will improve.

“We are not the type of club that says we are going to do this or that but now is the time for everyone to come together again and show that we can leave last year’s form well behind.

“There will be new ideas, difference voices on the training ground and all that helps.

“There is one thing that will never change: Liverpool will always be expected to do well and the pressure for us to be successful is just as intense as it was all those years ago; it might even be more.

“It will be like that for years to come.”

Liverpool are currently 13.00 to win the Premier League 2010/11.

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Wigan winger Charles N’Zogbia has revealed that the club will not stand in his way if a bigger club wants to acquire his services.

N’Zogbia joined Wigan in January 1999, when he angered fans of Newcastle by voicing his desire to play at a higher level.

And the 24-year-old is keen to take another step upwards in his footballing career.

“When I came here, I was in a period where I wanted to relaunch myself,” N’Zogbia told L’Equipe. “Today I’m at Wigan but if tomorrow a good club with great aims contacts me, I am open.

“I have talked about it with my bosses. They won’t put a spoke in the wheel.”

Despite their apparent willingness to sell Wigan will still hope to have N’Zogbia available for their first game of the season at home to Blackpool on 14th August.

Full Time Result betting has Wigan at 1.80, while Blackpool can be backed at 4.33 and the draw is 3.25.

Following the entire France World Cup squad being suspended for their friendly against Norway next month, N’Zogbia has been selected by new coach Laurent Blanc for the match.

Should he win his first cap, it would put an end to talk of him playing for England.

He continued: “They talked about me (playing for England) but for me it’s just something in the press.

“Until the moment someone at the Federation comes and talks to me about it face to face, I haven’t even asked myself the question.

“In my head I’m French. There’s no reflection to make.”

Wigan are 3.25 to be relegated from the Barclays Premier League 2010/11.

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