Theo Walcott continued his fine form to score on international duty as England beat Estonia on Friday night.

Recently, the 26-year-old has been playing up front for Arsenal but was moved into a wider role by Roy Hodgson. It worked, with Walcott’s smart movement and sharp finishing finally breaking down a stubborn and organised visiting defence.

So far this season, Walcott has played down the middle for Arsenal and is growing in the role given to him by Arsène Wenger, but he looked good again from the right as he bagged his eighth goal for his country and his third in two games.

“[When] I operate from the right-hand side…sometimes I make those runs,” Walcott said. A smart angled run across the backline saw him say onside before collecting Ross Barkley’s pass and giving England the lead at Wembley.

“When you don’t always want to stay out wide you can stretch players, stretch teams from making those runs in behind and I happened to be in the centre then.

“It was just before half-time but not just that, it was the perfect ball. If he just held onto it a tad later I would’ve been offside.”

Arsenal and England fans should be encouraged by his fine form. For club and country he now has six goals this season.

“I’d like to score more goals, but the most important thing I want to play for this team and for us to do well.”

At the age of 26, Walcott is finally ready to nail down an England place. Should he do that, and that requires Roy Hodgson to give him the chance to do it, he’ll bag plenty more for his country before too long.