Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal 6 Blackpool 0: Wenger sees Walcott in a central role
It is two years since Theo Walcott announced himself with a hat-trick for England against Croatia. He has scored only nine goals since, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger still believes he will grow into a centre forward of promise.[LNB] Wenger signed him as a striker from Southampton and although he has mainly been used as a winger, he often plays up front during training. The Gunners boss said: 'I am convinced he will finish in the middle.' [LNB] Theo's trio: Walcott celebrates his fine hattrick against Blackpool[LNB]For those who consider Walcott a wasteful winger - including Chris Waddle and Alan Hansen - perhaps Wenger might be on to something.[LNB] 'He has good timing of his runs, he senses when you have to go behind the defenders and he has electric pace. Once he is a yard behind a central defender, nobody in the world can catch him. 'He is ruthless in front of goal but he was a bit too nervous and he rushed his movements.[LNB] 'Now he is composed and once a player feels and understands that - to be composed and calm in front of goal - it opens their mind. He is developing, maybe what happened to him is part of his development.'[LNB] Walcott is too mildmannered to say 'what happened to him' will spur him on this season after his dramatic World Cup exclusion, but it is clear the summer brought a period of reflection. As Wenger jokingly pointed out, Walcott also has the benefit of being untainted by England's disastrous campaign in South Africa.[LNB] More importantly for Arsenal and England, a full, injury-free pre-season has boosted the 21-year-old's preparation for the long campaign ahead.[LNB] Three... Walcott uses his left foot to complete his fine treble[LNB]Walcott said: 'I've had a very good pre-season and I had a nice little break mentally through the summer as well so I could think about things. It's just (about) pushing on now.[LNB] 'I'm only 21. I want to play games every week now. It's a big season for me. 'I'm looking after myself a bit more. I'm one of the last to leave most of the time at Arsenal now. I will stay in behind after training to practise crosses and set pieces. It's down to me. I'm just raring to go. I'm very happy.'[LNB] On Match of the Day, Hansen said Walcott's hattrick would have been more impressive had he been up against Patrice Evra or Ashley Cole instead of Blackpool's left back Stephen Crainey. Of course it would. Walcott will seldom be allowed the freedom Crainey's lack of pace and poor positioning afforded him.[LNB] But Hansen's subsequent criticism was unfounded, on Saturday's evidence.[LNB] 'A lot of time he looks up and picks out the wrong ball, he does it on too many occasions,' said the pundit. 'If you haven't got a football brain you just can't acquire one.'[LNB] Walcott's football brain was working overtime on Saturday. His decision making was noticeably improved, he matched his scintillating pace with mouthwatering final balls and he took his three goals well.[LNB] It didn't come off every time but, as Blackpool boss Ian Holloway said, Walcott was virtually 'unplayable'. And Wenger believes there is still more to come.[LNB] 'He is not there yet, but I was always positive (he would develop) because I have looked at his disappointments and how well he analyses things. When you are intelligent, you always improve,' said Wenger.[LNB] 'He thinks about the game, "What did I do right? What did I do wrong?" He always comes out with the right decision.'[LNB] This season, it seems Walcott is determined to show Fabio Capello he made the wrong one. [LNB] Whizkid Walcott vows to silence critics after firing blistering Arsenal hat trickFabregas and Mascherano back on Barca radar as Ibrahimovic nears exitArsenal 6 Blackpool 0: Walcott hands out a reality check to the Tangerines [LNB]
