Theo Walcott says the hat-trick he scored against West Brom at the Emirates should be enough to give Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger a selection dilemma for Saturday’s FA Cup Final.

The England international was handed just his fourth start of the season as Arsenal cemented third place and direct entry into next season’s Champions League group stage.

Walcott needed just 37 minutes to secure the match-ball with a rapid fire hat-trick and he hopes to have done enough to get the nod for the cup final against Aston Villa next weekend.

Asked whether he had done enough to earn a start in the FA Cup Final, he said: “We’ll have to ask him that. Like I said, our squad is remarkable when everyone is fit.

“It’s something the manager will be judging come matchday and I’ll be giving him a headache I’m sure.”

Walcott completed the third hat-trick of his Arsenal career and he said it was a relief to be back playing after a year on the sideline with injury and a long road back to full fitness.

Striker Olivier Giroud has been misfiring in recent games for the Gunners so Walcott was quick to remind his manager that he can occupy that central role.

“It’s worked for me today. It’s nice to have a run up front and to grab the match ball is a great achievement personally. But more importantly, the team is looking sharp going into next week’s final,” Walcott said.

Arsenal are 1.52 to defeat Aston Villa in 90 minutes in Saturday’s FA Cup Final while they are 1.29 to lift the cup at Wembley.