Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is delighted to be entering the new season injury free.
Walcott expects to scale new heights when the serious business gets underway next month.
"I feel great," he told Arsenal.com before flying out for the Club's Asia Tour. "There is a massive benefit not playing international football in the summer because we don't have a winter break like other leagues do, in Germany for instance.
"The Premier League is so demanding on your body, and mentally as well, so it's tough when it comes to summer to motivate yourself again. I just love to play football and I always give 100 per cent but it helps to stay fresh when you don't have a tournament.
"It did make a big difference last year. I started off really well, I had a full pre-season, one of the first I've had for a long time, and I started off the season in great form before I got that unfortunate injury in September. I felt fantastic and hopefully there will be a bit more of that this year.
"I've had my illnesses in pre-season before and you are playing catch-up all the time if that happens but that's not the case this season so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to the Asia Tour and then I'm looking forward to the season because it's going to be a big one for us."
