Theo Walcott hoping to start FA Cup final for Arsenal after hat-trick

Theo Walcott believes he has handed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger a selection headache ahead of next week’s FA Cup final after firing a hat-trick in his side’s 4-1 win against West Brom.

On just his fourth start of the season, Walcott fired his third career hat-trick in just 37 minutes as Arsenal finished the season in style, securing a third-place finish and a direct route into next season’s Champions League group stage.

And Walcott, who faced nearly a year on the sidelines with a knee injury, hopes he has played his way into Wenger’s thoughts when Arsenal attempt to defend the FA Cup against Aston Villa at Wembley next week.

“It’s nice to be playing,” Walcott told Sky Sports. “I’ve been very patient. When I’ve been given the opportunity in the last few weeks, I’ve been ready and very positive.

“It’s worked for me today. It’s nice to have a run up front and to grab the match ball is a great achievement personally. But more importantly, the team is looking sharp going into next week’s final.

“You need to be patient with yourself when you’ve been out for nearly a year. It’s always going to take a similar amount of time to come back but the manager has been patient. I’ve been patient and when I’ve been given the opportunity, I’ve tried to take it.

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“Today it’s gone for me. I’m sure the manager’s got an absolute headache to pick his best team, but it just shows our squad is fantastic as well and it’s a squad that should be challenging for the Premier League."

And when asked whether he had done enough to earn a berth in Wenger’s cup final starting line-up, he said: “We’ll have to ask him that. Like I said, our squad is remarkable when everyone is fit. It’s always difficult to have a whole team fit throughout the season, but to be fair, we’ve had that.

“It’s something the manager will be judging come matchday and I’ll be giving him a headache I’m sure. All I want to do is play well for this club and see where it takes me.”

Both Walcott and Jack Wilshere rushed to the Arsenal bench to celebrate with physio Declan Lynch, who helped both players back to full fitness following injury.

Lynch leaves Arsenal at the end of the season to join Bath Rugby and Walcott insists he will be sorely missed at the Emirates.

“Declan’s going to be truly missed," Walcott added. “He’s moving on but he’s a man I’ve got to know very closely through the rehab on my knee. He’s a great personality, a great man and a great physio. He’ll be truly missed and will never be forgotten.”