Source: Team_Talk
Pearce puzzled by Wenger comments
The 20-year-old forward has just returned from the latest in a series of lay-offs to produce a couple of impressive displays which have seen him recalled to the full England squad for the friendly against Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday night.[LNB]Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, though, questioned why Walcott was included in the Under-21's European Championship campaign last summer, where the young Lions reached the final.[LNB]Pearce, however, insists Walcott will have become a better player for the experience - and any subsequent fitness problems were an issue for Arsenal, rather than the national squad.[LNB]"I don't agree with Arsene at all," Pearce told the London Evening Standard.[LNB]"He didn't play for long periods of last season, but he was fully fit at the end so he came with me to the Championships.[LNB]"It was a great experience and his first participation in a major international tournament, but then he hasn't featured a great deal this year."[LNB]Pearce insisted: "When he left me he was fully fit. I can't be responsible for him picking up an injury at Arsenal.[LNB]"Most of the injuries Theo has picked up have come while playing for his club so I don't really understand where Arsene is coming from.[LNB]"Theo has not been over-extended in playing too many games.[LNB]"Two years ago, when Theo played every match for the Under-21s, it built his confidence up when he wasn't playing so well for Arsenal, they benefited and I didn't hear him [Wenger] complain then."[LNB]Pearce, though, believes Walcott has what it takes to make Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.[LNB]"It has been a bit stop and start for Theo to say the least," the former Manchester City boss said.[LNB]"He played extremely well against Sunderland and will be aware now that he has got to stay injury free and get a run of form together when playing for Arsenal, then he will get in the squad for South Africa and that should be his target."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
