Arsenal winger Theo Walcott looks better for missing World Cup, says Arsene Wenger

22 August 2010 09:43
Walcott netted a hat-trick as Arsenal crushed Blackpool 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with an Andrei Arshavin penalty and goals from Abou Diaby and Marouane Chamakh completing the scoring. [LNB]And Arsenal manager Wenger believes Walcott's impressive finishing and all-round play is further evidence that the 21 year-old is maturing as a player and is determined to put the disappointment of the World Cup snub behind him. [LNB] Related ArticlesArsenal 6 Blackpool 0William Gallas on verge of Tottenham moveCrossing the Spurs-Arsenal divideWenger in no rush to select Fabregas and Van PersieTransfer TalkSport on television"He is more electric than he has been," said Wenger. "He was sharp. I like the way he mixed the final ball and his finishing. [LNB]"That is always a sign a player is more mature. He plays at a very high pace and it isn't easy to make the right decison. But he got many decisions in the final third right." [LNB]Having had a complete break since last season, Walcott appears to have shrugged off the injuries that have hindered his development over the previous two campaigns. [LNB]"He looks better for the break," Wenger added. "He's had good preparation for the first time in a long, long time. [LNB]"Without being interrupted by an injury or coming back late. You can see that. For two or three weeks now he's been sharp because he's had a good preparation." [LNB]And Wenger insists Walcott has recovered from the shock of being overlooked by Capello and is now even more determined to prove the Italian wrong. [LNB]Wenger said: "He is a guy who keeps his feet on the ground. He takes life in a positive way. The glass is half full, not half empty. So he took that as another challenge. That's what's amazing about Theo. [LNB]"He is 21, he is now at an age when players normally start. He is not at the peak of his game. He has to keep his attitude right. And he has to avoid injury." [LNB]With Cesc Fabregas also making his first appearance since committing his future to the club, Wenger had much to be pleased about after such a comfortable win. [LNB]Wenger is also confident of making one more signing before the transfer window closes. [LNB]Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer remains his number one target, although the Cottagers reacted angrily last week after receiving a second offer for the player from Arsenal that they claimed simply mirrored the £2 million bid rejected in May. [LNB]Wenger said: "I'm confident we will have at least one. Maybe one plus one. The market is quiet but I know it gets crazy in the last five days and on the final day it gets completely mad. [LNB]And referring to the Schwarzer bid, he added: "We have to be as quiet as possible. You cannot force any club to sell a player. [LNB]"If they don't want to sell, they can say no. If we make an offer for a player, the club says yes or no. If the club says no, then that's it." [LNB]Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was frustrated that his side's hopes of springing a surprise were effectively ended when Ian Evatt was dismissed for tripping Chamakh to concede the penalty that allowed Arshavin to make it 2-0. [LNB]"I wish it was more like in my day when the referees had more discretion," he said. [LNB]"There's a question whether it was in the penalty area and whether my player played the ball, I think a yellow card would have been fairer and would have given the paying public more of a spectacle. [LNB]"Everything about Arsenal is class and this was a masterclass. The ball hardly left the grass and I would be delighted if my teams one day played like that. [LNB]"We have plenty to do on Monday morning and I think we could have a few Monday mornings like it. I'm relieved it wasn't 10 or 12." [LNB]

Source: Telegraph