Source: Team_Talk
Walcott is getting there, says Wenger
Walcott turned in a performance full of pace and menace in front of England manager Fabio Capello at Emirates Stadium in Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Sunderland on Saturday.[LNB]Then Wenger revealed how 20-year-old Walcott has toughened up from the fragile winger who was too easily knocked off the ball as a teenager.[LNB]"He is getting there," Wenger said. "He gets harsh treatment but we see signs in training where he doesn't let other people kick him. It is part of the learning process of the job."[LNB]Walcott has started just five Premier League games in a stop-start season because of injury and while his form in the first half against Sunderland was stunning as he terrorised the visitors' defence there was a moment in the second which epitomised the pressure he is under.[LNB]An errant Walcott cross was followed by a frustrated snipe from team-mate Samir Nasri, while television pictures picked out Capello's reaction in the stand.[LNB]Wenger instantly sympathised with his winger, who became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for England against Croatia in Zagreb in 2008.[LNB]He said: "It's terrible but that is the modern media. The difference when I played was that there was no television. Now every single thing is analysed.[LNB]"You all have the national team on your mind because you want to bring the World Cup back to London. What we forget in football is that when players have been out for a long time it takes a while to get back to their best with sharpness, confidence and zip. That is coming back now.[LNB]"Let the players work and enjoy their game. The World Cup is not today, it is in July."[LNB]But when asked whether Walcott would be on the plane to South Africa, Wenger said: "I think he will make it, yes."[LNB][LNB]
