Tomas Rosicky reckons the best way for Theo Walcott to maintain his hat-trick-scoring form for Arsenal is by continuing to ignore his critics.
Flying winger Walcott netted the first treble of his club career in Saturday's 6-0 Barclays Premier League rout of Blackpool.
The 21-year-old has come under fire for a lack of end product since joining the Gunners, something which arguably saw him miss out on a place in England's World Cup squad this summer as well as being withdrawn at half-time of the recent friendly against Hungary.
Arsenal team-mate and fellow midfielder Rosicky witnessed first hand Walcott demonstrate his true potential on Saturday and believes he did so because he played with a smile.
"I just hope he will not play football to answer his critics or something," Rosicky told talkSPORT.
"I think the best way is to go out and enjoy his football - that's always what worked for me.
"Let's go out and enjoy the game and I think he enjoyed it [against Blackpool]."
Saturday saw Czech Republic international Rosicky make his first competitive start since April.
The 29-year-old's recent Arsenal career has been blighted by hamstring and knee injuries and he believes a full pre-season will help him get back on track this term.
He added: "That was always what I was missing.
"I've completed a whole pre-season, I've got a good base, I feel well and hope that will continue."
Having made an impressive start to the season with a draw at Liverpool and Saturday's thumping victory, Arsenal lie second in the fledgling Premier League table.
Next up is this weekend's trip to Blackburn and, although the new campaign is only just under way, Rosicky claims the Gunners must win at Ewood Park if they are to challenge for the title.
"Last season, I think we lost there," he said. "We know it will be a completely different game but if you want to be title contenders - which I think we are - we have to win there."
