ARSENAL forward Theo Walcott has insisted England need to put everything into their friendly match with Czech Republic tonight and treat it like a 'cup final.'

Walcott, who has been selected in coach Fabio Capello's squad for the match after impressing with the Gunners, revealed the team have held meetings to illustrate the importance of friendlies and to take them all seriously.

"We have had meetings to try to get it into our heads that every game is a cup final with England," he told the FA's official website.

"There are no friendlies. We have got to go out there and play well, win the game and take that into the qualifiers."

The 19-year-old was a shock call-up to Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad in 2006 but was an unused substitute and he admitted it was disappointing not to have had the chance to showcase his talents in the European Championships this year.

"It was a shame that we couldn't be there," he continued.

"Watching the Euros on TV, I thought it would have been great to be there, and having been to a World Cup I know what to expect."

Walcotthas been given another bite of the cherry by Italian Capello and he will be hoping to secure his place in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.