Arsène Wenger believes Theo Walcott’s match-changing substitute appearance against Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium has given Arsenal the confidence they need to progress into the Champions League semi-finals.

Arsenal salvaged a 2-2 draw against the European champions with second-half goals from Walcott and Cesc Fabregas after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given the Spaniards a 2-0 lead.

Injuries have taken the shine off Arsenal’s impressive comeback, with Fabregas suffering a serious leg injury and William Gallas aggravating a calf problem.

Wenger admitted playing Gallas was a gamble which failed but believes the pace of Walcott, who came off the bench to score after an hour, could yet be decisive in the return leg.

Wenger said: “He (Walcott) had a huge impact when he came on. He has qualities which can be useful on a big pitch like the Nou Camp. We can still qualify.

“We have to study how we can win the ball back. When we did that we always looked dangerous against them. We have to go for it. It would be a big achievement but we believe we can do it.”

Wenger admitted his side were fortunate to still be in the tie after being outplayed for most of the match.

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Theo Walcott feels he could be fit enough to make Arsenal’s Champions League tie with Roma.

Theo is recovering from a shoulder operation and told an EA Sports webchat yesterday: “I am nearly there, and hopefully [will be back] by the end of this month.

“I am doing a lot of rehab work now with the shoulder, landing on it, and also in the gym with a lot of weights to build the muscle strength back.

“I am seeing a specialist on February 24 so he will give me the heads [up]. Maybe it can be for that game I don’t know. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up but I hope to be back by the end of the month certainly.”

Shoulder problems run in the Walcott family however the winger feels this latest setback in fact could be beneficial in the long run.

“My dad had an operation on his right side (shoulder) as well, and when I had my left side done, they did a scan on my right and said that something might have to be done at a different stage,” Walcott added.

“So actually it is good that it has come when I am young, and hopefully now it will be as strong as anything.”

Theo Walcott was on the scoresheet yet again as Arsenal run riot in Turkey.

The goals came from Adebayor, Walcott, Diaby, Song and Ramsey.

The win keeps Arsenal top of  Group G on 7 points, with Dynamo Kiev on 5 points in 2nd place

The Sun newspaper are calling Theo Walcott ‘Theodona’ after his amazing run tore apart Liverpool to create Arsenal’s second goal on the night.

The full article can be read here

Little Theo Walcott, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you. The Englishman in the most lustrous attacking football team in the country finally got his chance to sparkle last night and his two goals gave English football something it could cling to. As the national team prepares to enter a long, dark winter of the soul, any fragile hope will do.

“At times it was a joy to watch,” Arsène Wenger said although he was not just talking about Walcott but the whole Arsenal attacking ensemble that swept past Slavia Prague on seven occasions. This team of Wenger’s have been accused of trying to walk the ball into the net at times and, for the seventh goal from substitute Nicklas Bendtner, they did exactly that. It was gripping stuff with Walcott at the heart of it.

The 18-year-old was only denied a hat-trick by a despairing save from Martin Vaniak in the 81st minute, but that was just about all the Slavia goalkeeper stopped. The seven-goal margin equalled the biggest-ever victory in the Champions League and for Walcott it was a night that he will never forget. Wenger agreed there was “a touch of Thierry Henry” about Walcott’s second goal, although that particular old boy does not seem to be missed one bit.

From The Independent

Theo Walcott put in a fine display as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners on the night against Sparta Prague (5-0 agg)

Theo produced a fine run and perfect delivery for Tomas Rosicky to open the scoring for Arsenal, late goals from Fabregas and Da Silva completed the victory for Arsenal.

The Arsenal boss said: “Theo had a good first half. He can be decisive. He’s very direct, quick, is a good crosser and finishes well.

“He’s improving his link play and is more aggressive. When he uses all the assets he has he will be dangerous for everybody.

“Once he plays through the middle he will make good runs and get behind defenders.

“Close to the line you need better technique and his greatest quality will be the runs he makes behind defenders.

“In the future he’ll be used more as a central striker. He can make a difference for England because there are not many strikers in this country who have his qualities or pace.

“If a defender is one yard behind him Theo will never get caught. He makes good runs along the line of the defence and he will be able to use that more when he plays through the middle.

“But it’s good for him to learn the job on the flanks. All the young players can show their top quality in the Champions League.”

Full Article at ITV Football

According to Theo Walcott, Sparta Prague are the toughest test Arsenal could have been handed at this stage of the Champions League.

The 18-year-old is itching to be part of the starting XI this evening as Arsène Wenger’s team take on the Czech ‘double’ winners in the third qualifying round first leg. But, if selected, he will not be taking the hosts lightly.

“It will be an interesting game against Sparta Prague,” he said. “For me, they are just about the most difficult team we could face at this stage. But if you want to win it, you have to beat all the top teams anyway.

“The win over Fulham has set us up for it and the confidence is really high going into the game.”

Walcott had an important cameo role on Sunday as Arsenal roared back to win the season’s opener at Emirates Stadium and he is well aware Wenger is without three midfielders and two strikers for a crucial tie.

“It’s up to the boss of course,” he said. “But I don’t mind where I play - right, left or up front. It’s unlucky for those players who are out. It’s really bad timing because we had a great pre-season and after all that hard work they have a set-back and then have to catch-up. I’m sure they will be back soon though.”

taken from Arsenal.com