Source: SKY_Sports
Wenger to rest Walcott
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will grant Theo Walcott a well-deserved rest during the Emirates Cup.
The 20-year-old forward will not feature in Saturday's opening contest against Atletico Madrid after a busy summer of international action.
The Gunners ace turned out for the England senior side in 2010 World Cup qualifiers at the end of the 2008/09 campaign, before joining up with the U21 set-up for the European Championships.
Wenger was opposed to Walcott's involvement with Stuart Pearce's Young Lions, feeling the talented youngster could face burn out after a gruelling domestic season.
He admits he is still bemused as to why Walcott was called upon, but feels a prolonged break from duty will help to recharge his batteries.
"I was not in fairness a supporter of his experience with the U21s for one simple reason: the youth teams are there to promote the players into the first team and once they are there, especially at national level, I don't see why they go back again to the under-21s," said Wenger.
"The target is not to promote the players from the first team to the second team, they are supposed to be promoted from the second team to the first team."
Improved
Wenger continues to be linked with a number of fresh faces as the new season draws ever closer, but the Frenchman insists he already has the players at his disposal to challenge for major honours this term.
"This team has improved a lot as compared to last season. They played 21 games unbeaten from November until the end of the season," said Wenger.
"We reached the semi-final of the Champions League, FA Cup. We have a squad which is very ambitious.
"We have the basic quality, they have international quality and are under 23, so their best time is now.
"We have developed a style and culture of play that everybody accepts, so I feel confident and very strong.
"Our focus should not be who can help us from outside, but who can help us from inside."
