Theo Walcott: "I just want to play"

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has declared that he feels deserving of a first-team place at the Emirates after continuing his goalscoring streak against Schalke.

Walcott made a rare start in Germany and put the Gunners ahead early on in a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Veltins Arena.

The England international has eight goals in all competitions this season despite being restricted to a place on the bench by Arsene Wenger.

He told BBC Sport: "It was a good point in the end. It would have been a fantastic victory but Schalke are a tough side.

"We are just trying to win our last couple of games and that is all you can do. As long as you do that then you have a very good chance of going through."

"I just want to play hopefully now I can get a run in the team because I feel I fully deserve it."

The 23-year-old's future at the Emirates remains under intense speculation as negotiations rumble on over a new contract.