Arsenal striker Theo Walcott is in fine form for his club, but what about his country?

Two goals in his last England game took him onto seven when representing the Three Lions, a disappointing return from 41 caps.

Now, with Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Danny Ings all out, the Arsenal man has a fantastic chance of staking a claim for a place in Roy Hodgson’s side to faec Estonia on Friday evening and Estonia on Tuesday. The competition for places says it all.

“This is one of the best squads I have been involved with and the team’s work-rate is unreal,” Walcott told the London Evening Standard.

The 26-year-old didn’t score against Manchester United in Arsenal’s dominant performance at the weekend, but his effort and desire was incredible. He is hardly known for sticking a boot in and winning the ball back, he’s always looked a bit slight and he has never come across as the bravest.

That’s why it was such a shock to see him dive into two sliding tackles to dispossess German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger part way through the first half. His tireless running was superb, giving Manchester United no time on the ball throughout the game, and he doesn’t plan to stop now.

“It bodes well for us but we need to be relentless in the way we play in these two friendlies. We can’t slack off. I know we have qualified but it is important to keep on throwing a statement out there to the whole of Europe.”

Before friendlies against Spain and France in November, England face Estonia and Lithuania within the next few days.

Walcott has a fantastic chance to send a message before the qualifiers are done and dusted; here’s hoping he does so.