Whippet Walcott

Last night I witnessed one of the best games of football I've seen in a while, and it featured one of the best goals. Emanuel Adebayor's 84th minute equaliser for Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League quarter final match against Liverpool, looked for a short while to be the goal that would take them into the semi finals of the competition. The goal was set up by Theo Walcott's inspiring box to box run, reminiscent of Michael Owen's goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup at a similar age. It was an incredible bit of skill, and highlighted the importance of pace in the modern game.

The script was written for the young Englishman (the only one on the Arsenal team sheet) to help his side secure a semi final spot and ruin Liverpool's dreams of a third Champions League semi final in 4 years. However Walcott's thunder was quickly stolen, and it was the more senior England player on the other team, Steven Gerrard, who took all the plaudits by firing home a contentious penalty to put Liverpool back in control. The victory was then put beyond any doubt with a break away goal by Ryan Babel right at the death.

I've chosen Walcott's run as the video of the week, as it was just too good not to feature. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of young Theo next season...