The England striker has heeded the words of his manager about putting the World Cup to the back of his mind for now.

Wenger reacted angrily early in the week when questioned about players such as Walcott needing to maintain form and fitness ahead of next year's tournament in South Africa.

However, the 20-year-old agrees with his club manager that the immediate focus should be on Arsenal's fortunes in the Barclays Premier League and Champions League.

International football will be the least of Arsenal's concerns this weekend when Chelsea arrive at the Emirates Stadium, particularly after the defeat to Sunderland last Saturday.

"You want to play well for your country and the summer (at the World Cup) will come if you have a great season," said Walcott, who came on during the Champions League win over Standard Liege for his second substitute appearance since recovering from an injury to his right knee.

"The best way is just to take every game as it comes and not look into the future because you never know what is going to happen. You could have a great season, get injured at the end of it and miss out. So I am just going to concentrate on every single game until the end of the season and see where it takes me.

"I want to get back in the starting line-up for Arsenal and hopefully try and help us to go far in the Premier League. We have a got a great bunch of lads and I want to be part of the starting line-up. I just want to get back playing for Arsenal, that is the best way."

Walcott has been restricted to just three Barclays Premier League appearances this season because of injury.

The former Southampton striker helped his country to the final of the European Under-21 Championships during the summer when his manager would have preferred him to be resting.

This season he has been plagued by injury problems after picking up a knock against Birmingham City.

However he is now virtually back to full fitness and aiming to make up for lost time in the Barclays Premier League.