This is a big season for Theo Walcott, according to both Arsène Wenger and the player himself.
The 18-year-old has now made 35 appearances for Arsenal since he joined Arsenal from Southampton in a fanfare of publicity in January 2006. That only intensified the following summer when Walcott was chosen for the England World Cup squad without having played for his new club.
However the Under-21 winger has yet to command a regular place under Wenger outside the Carling Cup. When questioned before the weekend whether Walcott was ready to emerge now, his manager was supportive and yet cautious.
“Frankly I don’t know yet,” he replied. “I could say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. No because he is long enough in the game to have learned and yes because he is still young.
“He told me he knows it’s an important year for him.
“I studied the team who won the World Cup for France in 1998. They all started age 18.
“If you don’t get in the team at 18, 19, 20 doubts start. He’s at an age now where you expect him to exert his personality and turn up in big games. OK he will still look young on occasions but as well it is [time] to show that this guy can be a player.
“I think he will.”
