Last Updated: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 14:36
Theo Walcott declared he still saw his long-term future up front after giving Arsenal another glimpse of what they could be missing.
Walcott further strengthened his negotiating position in his ongoing contract saga by scoring his fifth goal in as many games in Saturday's 5-2 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium.
As well as having been at loggerheads with the Gunners over the value of any new deal, the England star has reportedly demanded assurances from manager Arsene Wenger he would get more opportunities to play as a striker.
And despite being made to wait until the 86th minute on Saturday to show what he could do in the position, he still managed to rack up his ninth goal of the season.
Asked whether he still craved a more central role, Walcott told talkSPORT: "Oh, without a doubt. I've always believed I'm a striker. The boss gave me five minutes at the end there and I managed to grab a goal, which is great. But when you've got someone like Olivier (Giroud), who's playing well, there's no need to change a winning team at the moment.
"I think my time will come. I've just got to be a little more patient. But, like I say, I want to play up front. That's my position."
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