Arsenal forward Theo Walcott credits improved form to attitude change

Theo Walcott has revealed how talks with Arsene Wenger during the summer helped him refocus and establish himself as a key member of the Arsenal squad again.

Walcott, 27, was left out of England's Euro 2016 squad and was linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium after an injury-hit 2015/16 campaign.

But the former Southampton winger received a vote of confidence from Wenger and has repaid the Frenchman's faith with an impressive start to the season, scoring three goals in six league games so far for the Gunners.

He is expected to start for Arsenal in their Champions League Group A clash against Basel at the Emirates on 28 September after starting and scoring in the 3-0 win over Chelsea at the weekend.

"I've worked hard from the back end of last season and I've just continued to do that throughout the whole summer and that's all I'm doing," Walcott was quoted as saying by the Times.

"Me and the manager sat down and I've just looked at myself. There's no point dwelling on the past, that's what I'm like.

"The manager has shown tremendous faith in me and I just want to repay that. You can see that in my desire and the way that I'm playing at the moment.

"It's a shame that it only hit me a few years ago because there's been a slight change in my attitude ahead of big games."

Arsenal will be looking to get their first win in Europe against Basel after they could only draw 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain in their opening Group A match.

Wenger has warned his players not to take the Swiss team lightly.

"They are a team who are used to playing in the Champions League," he was quoted as saying.

"It's not a newcomer or a beginner in the Champions League, they have huge experience in the competition."