Arsenal boss Wenger hails ‘electric’ Walcott

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are already beginning to benefit from Fabio Capello’s decision to omit Theo Walcott from the England World Cup squad.

Walcott bagged a hat-trick as the Gunners crushed Blackpool 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with an Andrey Arshavin penalty and goals from Abou Diaby and Maraouane Chamakh – his first for the club – completing the scoring.

And Arsenal manager Wenger believes Walcott’s impressive finishing and all-round play is further evidence that the 21-year-old is maturing as a player and is determined to put the disappointment of the World Cup snub behind him.

“He is more electric than he has been,” said Wenger. “He was sharp. I like the way he mixed the final ball and his finishing.

“That is always a sign a player is more mature. He plays at a very high pace and it isn’t easy to make the right decision. But he got many decisions in the final third right.”

Having had a complete break since last season, Walcott appears to have shrugged off the injuries that have hindered his development over the previous two campaigns.

“He looks better for the break,” Wenger added. “He’s had good preparation for the first time in a long, long time.”

And Wenger insists Walcott has recovered from the shock of being overlooked by Capello and is now even more determined to prove the Italian wrong.

Wenger said: “He is a guy who keeps his feet on the ground. He takes life in a positive way. The glass is half full, not half empty. So he took that as another challenge. That’s what’s amazing about Theo.

“He is 21, he is now at an age when players normally start. He is not at the peak of his game. He has to keep his attitude right. And he has to avoid injury.”