Arsene Wenger insists Theo Walcott is now in “much better shape” to play a major role for Arsenal next season.
The 18-year-old England international produced an impressive display during the Gunners’ 3-0 pre-season win over Turkish side Genclerbirligi in Austria last night.
Walcott made one goal for Robin van Persie and also netted himself as Wenger’s men continued their preparations for the new campaign.
The teenager found himself thrust into the spotlight following a potential £12million move from Southampton in January 2006 and was a controversial inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s World Cup squad when he had yet to make his debut for Arsenal.
Walcott chalked up more than 30 first-team appearances last season, and netted his first goal for the Gunners in the Carling Cup final.
Although back in the under-21s following the arrival of new England boss Steve McClaren, the pacey forward was ruled out of this summer’s European Championships because of the need for shoulder surgery.
Stuart Pearce, yesterday confirmed as the permanent head coach of the under-21 international side, hopes the Gunners will give one of his key men more competitive action.
Wenger indicated that was likely to come next season.
“We could see [from the match] that we have a lot of hope for Theo Walcott,” said the Arsenal manager.
“He has shown that he is in much better shape than last year at the same time after the World Cup.
“Theo has recovered well from his shoulder injury and he is at an age now where you expect every month more.”
Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: “Theo is in the squad of 20 players. When you want a successful season, every player will get his share in the number of games he will play - and Theo can be an important asset for us.”
Wenger was happy enough with a “good workout” against the Turks at the tiny Bad Waltersdorf Stadion, a game which featured debuts for summer signings Bacary Sagna and Eduardo, who came on for the last 21 minutes.
The Brazilian-born Croatian striker - a £7.5million signing from Dinamo Zagreb - clearly impressed his new boss.
“You could see that straightaway when Eduardo came on he is a quality player,” said Wenger. “His movement, his sharpness, the quality of his runs, and his final ball was perfect.”
Eduardo was content to have now been involved for his new club - but maintained the hard work starts now.
“I am very happy for this first match, but I know I have a lot more to do to prove myself,” he said, conscious of his arrival soon after the departure of captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona.
“The rest of the squad is very good. Robin van Persie particularly impressed me [last night], but it is just important to be here with them and stay away from injuries.
“So far the training out here has not been difficult because we are using the ball more than we did when I was at Dinamo Zagreb.
“On the face of it, I feel there is no big difference between English and Croatian football.
“It is just that in English football there are a lot less mistakes and the players are physically stronger than in Croatia. I am still adjusting to my new club, but it is good.”
Wenger, meanwhile, has dismissed reports he was about to move for ex-Gunner Nicolas Anelka, insisting “we do not collect strikers”.
Instead, the Arsenal manager appears happy to look for his attacking options from within, young Dane Nicklas Bendtner another available following his return from Birmingham.
Van Persie - last season’s leading scorer before breaking a bone in his foot - signalled a return to fitness with a brace last night.
Wenger has been impressed by the link-up between the Dutchman, 24 next month, and Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
“Robin can score goals, we know that,” said the Arsenal manager.
“He has a good mixture between Dennis Bergkamp and a tremendous goalscorer like Thierry Henry, so let’s hope he can mix his game well.
“Robin is developing well and becoming very mature.”
Arsenal’s two-match tour is completed against Salzburg next Wednesday, before they host the Emirates Cup on July 28 and 29, ahead of the Amsterdam Tournament and then the domestic campaign opener against Fulham on August 12.
By then, Wenger is expected to have further strengthened his squad.
Reports suggest a move could be make for South American teenagers Angel Di Maria and Pedro Silva, although neither would be expected to be in first-team contention initially.
The Arsenal boss still has funds available following the £16million departure of Henry, with Jose Antonio Reyes expected to stay in Spain after the end of his loan to Real Madrid.
Whether or not the Emirates Stadium coffers will be swelled by an injection of cash from American stakeholder Stan Kroenke remains to be seen.
The US entrepreneur - who holds a 12% share in the Gunners parent company - recently met chairman Peter Hill-Wood and managing director Keith Edelman, and is now expected to hold talks with the rest of the board on future strategy.
From dailymail.co.uk