Arsene Wenger concerned about Theo Walcotts injury
Arsene Wenger the Arsenal manager has admitted that the latest injury to his winger Theo Walcott is a source of concern for him. He said that it is not just a matter of the physical damage but this may also hamper his mental side of the game.
The 21 year old is looking at 4 to 6 weeks out on the sidelines after he damaged his ankle while playing for England in the 3-1 win against Switzerland in the Euro2012 qualifier.
Wenger who was obviously worried for his young player said that, one can never estimate how damaging it can be for a 21 year old to be involved in continuous injuries. It can have serious psychological impacts he said. Wenger said that when a player is making his way up in the game, it is always difficult to cope with injuries and Walcott he believes has had more than his fare share of fitness problems already.
The former Southampton player last suffered an injury back in 2008 November. It was also on national duty that he dislocated his shoulder. He was ruled out for 6 months after that.
That was not the end of it for the promising winger. He was also plagued by knee, back and Hamstring problems throughout 2009-10 season. The fact that he was constantly in and out of the side last season, meant that he was not selected for England’s world cup squad. Many believe he would have been a real asset for England in the world cup.
Wenger said that injuries at the highest level are not a rarity, but for a player so young and with so much talent it is never a good thing. He said that Walcott is a player with bundles of talent and energy, and when he is contently restricted by fitness issues it would have a bearing on his career in long term. He said that when a player comes back from so many injuries, the confidence level drops immensely and when the same player is caught in a situation that demands a hard tackle or using the physical strength he may be hesitant to do so.
Talking in general terms about his team, Wenger said that there is just some bad luck that surrounds his team. Over the last few years his young player time and again has been subject to freak injuries, and the sad part is he can do nothing about it.
When Fabio Capello selected his team for the world cup, Theo Walcott made it clear that he was very disappointed to not have been picked. However he put that behind him and started the season with a bang. The right winger scored his first hat trick at the senior level in the 2nd game for Arsenal this season against Blackpool. Following that game Wenger had said that maybe Walcott was finally starting to deliver all that he had been promising in the last 2 season. But sadly once again an injury has come to haunt the talented gunner.
After being left out of England’s world cup Squad, Walcott had said that he would prove his worth in the league and make his way back in the national team. And following the hat trick he was recalled by Capello, the 21 year old did look impressive and energetic in the 10 minutes that he played against Switzerland. Before a challenge from Yves Oehri forced him to be stretchered off, however despite the injury he has the time on his side and hopefully if Walcott can stay injury free for the next few years he may well be one of the biggest stars for club and country.
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