Theo Walcott admits he is angry about getting dropped after making himself available for Stuart Pearce - but he now wants to take it out on European Under-21 Championship hosts Sweden.

After establishing himself in Fabio Capello's seniors, Walcott seemed guaranteed a starting place for Pearce's Under-21s but was taken off after 45 minutes of their tournament opener, then was on the bench for an hour of the victory against Spain.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was strongly opposed to his player travelling straight after a World Cup double-header, then the 20-year-old found himself in the cold despite pushing for his own inclusion.

"That was one of the messages I did get across," Walcott said. "I just wanted to be shown a little bit of support for being here.

"But it was the manager's decision and it worked out to be the right one because we won the game in the end."

As Walcott concedes himself, Pearce's decisions have come off. The first was to take Walcott off at the break after a poor first half against the Finns.

"Even my parents booed me off at half-time against Finland," Walcott joked.

Pearce then unleashed a furious Walcott on the highly-fancied Spanish and he set up James Milner's clincher that allowed England to rest players for the draw against Germany.

Next is Sweden in the last four on Friday evening in Gothenburg, with Walcott still upset and looking to make his mark again.

"Against Spain, I took it out on the pitch and let my feet do the talking," he said. "People probably saw me around and about and I wasn't too happy obviously because I came here to play.

"If you are not disappointed there is something wrong, you're just here for the social.

"You've got to be angry coming on the pitch. You don't want to be too angry and get sent off but hopefully I'll be at it on Friday."

It is hardly the attitude expected of player with a reputation of being too nice for his own good.

On the other hand, Walcott put himself in contention despite fears of burnout ahead of next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

"I had four months out injured last season, so it hasn't really affected me," he added. "The boss will know when I'm tired and I'm not. On the pitch you don't think about it."

Walcott also missed the Under-21 tournament with a shoulder injury two years ago in Holland when England were knocked out on penalties after a marathon shoot-out.

He said: "I remember Stuart calling me and telling me to go and have the operation because there would be plenty more tournaments to come. I wouldn't say I owed them, I just wanted to be here."

It is a semi-final against the hosts again, this time Sweden, and Walcott views it as a chance to go one better and break through a psychological barrier.

"It's not just for the Under-21s, it's for the seniors and age groups below us," Walcott said. "It's a great way to show the Under-19s and Under-18s and those below or upwards what England can actually achieve.

"Hopefully this will put smiles on faces if we get far."

Imposing a winning mentality will come from Capello downwards, and the Italian's approach seems to be rubbing off.

"Everyone wants to win the competition, you don't want to be second," Walcott said. "You want to go back home and have holidays knowing we've won the competition.

"He (Capello) just wished me all the best and told me to bring it home. He's the person who doesn't want to lose. That shows with how we started the qualifying campaign. We've won every game and are there nearly."

This is expected to be Walcott's last Under-21s stint, although he could still feature in the next tournament.

"I still have to work hard to play well for Arsenal and if you are not playing well you're not going to be in Mr Capello's team - that's how I think," Walcott added.

"This sort of tournament is great for the young players to come through and show Mr Capello what we can do. For me, I'm not a full England player yet. I still have to work hard for Arsenal and try to be there when I can."