Wenger reassured by Walcott

22 August 2010 19:26
Arsene Wenger believes a "composed" Theo Walcott has finally shaken off his big-match nerves and can make a real impact this season.[LNB] The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick as Premier League new-boys Blackpool were thrashed 6-0 at Emirates Stadium.[LNB]Walcott was a controversial omission from Fabio Capello's ill-fated World Cup squad, but fresh from a summer break, the former Southampton trainee now looks set to play a full part in England's quest for redemption at the 2012 European Championship.[LNB]Wenger hopes Walcott can stay injury free, having finally appeared to add an end product to his electric build-up play.[LNB]"Maybe what happened to Theo is part of his development," said the Arsenal manager.[LNB]"Theo is quite a good finisher, but was too nervous in front of goal, he rushed his movements.[LNB]"Now he is composed, and once a player feels and understands that, to be composed and calm in front of goal, it opens their mind.[LNB]"I was always positive because I have looked at his disappointments, and how well he analyses things. When you are intelligent, you always improve."[LNB]Wenger joked: "A positive aspect of what happened to him is because England didn't win the World Cup, maybe next time you will with him."[LNB]Walcott did not start the opening game at Liverpool, but yesterday ripped the Seasiders apart from kick off, sweeping them into an 11th-minute lead.[LNB]Wenger, though, maintained a regular place in the first XI had to be earned.[LNB]"That is part of the competition and down to performances - don't forget we kept faith in him even when it wasn't working," Wenger said.[LNB]"Theo thinks about the game, 'what did I do right, what did I do wrong?' He always comes out with the right decision.[LNB]"But we forget that he is only 21-years-old, and most of the big players in England had not started their international careers at 21.[LNB]"We forget that because he has been in the circuit three or four years - he is only a young boy."[LNB]The victory over Blackpool may have ended up being comprehensive, yet the outcome could have been different but for two key moments in the first half.[LNB]Just after Arsenal had taken the lead, the hosts were almost caught cold when full-back Stephen Crainey sent over a deep cross from the left, which dropped to Gary Taylor-Fletcher at the far post, but his downward header was just wide.[LNB]Then, in a decision which baffled Tangerines boss Ian Holloway, referee Mike Jones awarded a penalty when Ian Evatt had fouled Marouane Chamakh - despite the initial contact having been outside the area - and as the last man showed the defender a straight red card.[LNB]Andrey Arshavin crashed in the spot-kick, and from then on it was a case of how many the rampant Gunners would score.[LNB]Walcott added a third five minutes before the break, with a smart turn and finish into the corner, before Abou Diaby swept home a fourth at the start of the second half.[LNB]The England forward completed a first hat-trick for Arsenal - having netted a famous international treble in the World Cup qualifier away to Croatia during September 2008 - with another well-taken goal while summer signing Chamakh, who had missed several chances, headed in a sixth late on.[LNB]World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas and runner-up Robin van Persie were eased back into action with a run-out for the final 30 minutes.[LNB]The Arsenal captain received a warm welcome from the Emirates Stadium faithful, having committed himself to the Gunners' cause this season despite a summer of frenzied transfer speculation.[LNB]"I had doubts he would stay, of course, but I had no doubt the reception would be good," Wenger said.[LNB]"People could understand that Cesc was torn between Barcelona, his home town, and without question the love he has for this club. He has always been respectful."[LNB]In Fabregas' absence, England 18-year-old Jack Wilshere has made two successive Premier League starts in a more defensive role.[LNB]"Jack has good commitment and it is important in the development of a player for him to start there," said Wenger.[LNB]"After, you can always push a player higher up, but let's start with the difficult work. Once you do that, you can always take the easier job."

Source: Team_Talk