EURO 2012/ ENGLAND, Walcott: "We will need to be at our best Most"

© foto di Giuseppe Celeste/Image Sport

 Theo Walcott believes his performance against Sweden was among his very best for England - and he wants to scale those heights again tonight.

Theo Walcott believes his performance against Sweden was among his very best for England - and he wants to scale those heights again tonight.

The Arsenal forward turned Friday's game on its head with a fine goal and an assist for Danny Welbeck and he attributes his impact to good pre-match preparation.

Asked whether England's 3-2 saw his best contribution on the international stage, Walcott said: “I’d say there have been some good performances, but coming off the bench you need to be ready - you need to be sharp in a tournament situation on the big stage.

“It’s demanding on you as well, not just getting into shape straightaway. I’d say [my performance] was up there, definitely.”

England will be looking for more of the same when they face host nation Ukraine, knowing that a draw would see them through to the last eight. Walcott is wary of the threat Oleg Blokhin’s side will pose but he hopes that England can combine the most promising aspects of their first two games.

“It’s against the hosts so it’s always going to be a tough game, but we’ll go out there trying to win,” he said.

“Everybody was saying that our defending against the French was brilliant but the attacking wasn’t great, and people will be saying the defence wasn’t great against Sweden but I’d say we were a bit unlucky.

“Hopefully the best bits will all come together against Ukraine - and we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them because they’re going to be a tough cookie, trust me.”