Source: Daily_Mail
Walcott wants to take centre stage for Arsenal in Van Persie's absence
Theo Walcott is ready to fill the void left in the Arsenal side by Robin Van Persie's ankle injury, especially if the Englishman is given the chance to impress in his preferred central striker role. [LNB]The Englishman has scored just 15 times in 110 appearances for the Gunners since moving to north London from Southampton in 2005. [LNB]Walcott has largely been deployed wide on the right but his manager, Arsene Wenger, has always proclaimed that eventually he sees the 20-year-old as an out and out front man.[LNB] Back in action: Walcott was a second half substitute against Standard Liege[LNB]Wenger of course has previous in converting wide men into forwards. Thierry Henry came to England from Juventus as a disillusioned winger and left eight years later as one of the world's most prolific marksmen. [LNB]Now, with Van Persie set to be out until Christmas and Nicklas Bendtner facing a similar amount of time on the sidelines after groin surgery, Walcott is hopeful he can be given an extended run upfront to prove his worth.[LNB]'I would love to play up front, it was my position,' the 20-year-oldsaid. 'I played up front at Southampton but it has been quite a while.I will play anywhere for this team.'[LNB] Leading man: Walcott has shown he is capable of scoring goals[LNB]Walcott returned from the latest in a series of injuries last night as the Gunners secured top spot in Champions League Group H with a 2-0 win over Standard Liege. It was only his fourth appearance in a season heavily disrupted by back and knee complaints. Those problems are, Walcott hopes, behind him.[LNB]'I feel great. I have been training well, the fitness coaches and all the staff have been looking after me very well.[LNB]'The knee feels fine. I have spoken to a couple of the players who have had similar problems Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky and they said I would feel it for the first initial weeks but I haven't felt the problem.'[LNB] Arsenal 2 Standard Liege 0: Wenger's not smiling as Gibbs and Gallas limp offMARTIN SAMUEL: Tatty bye, Rafa Benitez - Victory in violet leaves the Reds feeling blueRafa Benitez won't be sacked - Liverpool crash out of Champions League and languish at home but Reds chief Christian Purslow says he's delighted with his heroesArsenal boss Arsene Wenger reckons Liverpool fans are losing faith in Benitez's sideALL THE ARSENAL FC
