Walcott uses 'good criticism' to fuel his determination to move forward

The 21-year-old was a controversial omission from Fabio Capello's ill-fated World Cup squad, only to be welcomed back into the England fold following the dismal display in South Africa.

Walcott produced a stunning individual display with a hat-trick as Barclays Premier League newcomers Blackpool were ripped apart 6-0 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The former Southampton trainee netted a famous treble for England in their World Cup qualifying victory away to Croatia during September 2008, but has drawn criticism for lacking an end product.

Walcott has turned all of that into a positive, but knows there is plenty of hard work still ahead.

"This is the season where I have to push on, so hopefully I will get more opportunities to play," Walcott said.

"I am 21 and should be playing games every week now.

"I have had a lot of criticism, but I can take that. It has been very good criticism at times, because it has been an extra boost for me."

Blackpool's cause was not helped by a decision which baffled Tangerines boss Ian Holloway, referee Mike Jones awarding a penalty when Ian Evatt had fouled Marouane Chamakh – despite the initial contact having been outside the area – and as the last man showed the defender a straight red card.

Holloway said: "I thought it was a penalty at best, but then to send him off? Ridiculous – it absolutely ruined the game as a spectacle, but we would probably have been beaten anyway."