Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Theo Walcott now faces mental battle
Arsene Wenger feels England forward Theo Walcott faces a mental battle as well as physical to get himself firing on all cylinders again after another injury set-back interrupted a promising start to the new season for the Arsenal youngster.[LNB]Walcott - a controversial omission from Fabio Capello's World Cup squad - had been in impressive form for the Gunners, netting a hat-trick against Blackpool and a goal in the win at Ewood Park before the international break.[LNB]However, the pacy 21-year-old - now very much back in the England fold - suffered an ankle injury in the build-up to Wayne Rooney's opening goal against Switzerland on Tuesday night.[LNB] Blow: Walcott leaves the field on a stretcher in Basle[LNB]While the problem is not serious, it will result in a recovery time of up to six weeks.[LNB]It is another enforced break for Walcott, who has seen his progress hampered by a series of fitness issues.[LNB]Wenger accepted that impact could be just as difficult to overcome as actually getting back into action.[LNB]'The good news is that the ligament which we were scared could be ruptured is not, but in our job it is still a long-term injury of four to six weeks,' said the Arsenal manager.[LNB]'It is more frustrating for him, and you never know what kind of psychological impact it has on the player as well.[LNB] Three and easy: Walcott fires home his third goal against Blackpool last month[LNB]'In our job it is important you are healthy and you play. When you are injured, it always stops your progress and gets you setback when you do not have regular games.[LNB]'It is sometimes good to be rested, but to be injured is different.'[LNB]Wenger continued: 'The mental side is always a question mark when a player getinjuries.[LNB]'When you are a manager and you see an injury doesn't harm the career of a player, you are happy. After that the only unknown quantity is how much it will damage his confidence in the box, on tackling and all that.[LNB]'Ideally, you do not want a player to be injured many times by bad tackles.[LNB]'However, I believe Theo will deal well with that because he has done it before.'[LNB] Nasri return set to cushion the blow for Arsenal after losing crock WalcottArsenal winger Walcott joins the sick list with six-week lay-offARSENAL FC
