Arsene Wenger on Theo Walcott’s performance and Kieran Gibbs injury
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted with his side’s performance in the Carling Cup as they managed to beat Newcastle United on Wednesday night, but faced a slight setback with Kieran Gibbs’ injury.
Speaking right after the game, the Frenchman was full of praise for the striker Theo Walcott, explaining how the Englishman is improving everyday and becoming more and more clinical in front of the goal. Wenger was also pleased
with the first touch of the striker and explained how the 21-year old is now more intelligent in his decision making than he was during the previous seasons.
The youngster was fairly criticised for failing to deliver in the final third, but according to his Boss, hard work in the pre-season was the main reason for his improvement and Theo is now ready to deliver after achieving full
fitness from injury.
Wenger on Kieran Gibbs injury
When asked about Kieran Gibbs’ injury, The Gunners boss said he hopes it is nothing serious as he revealed it is a knee injury which will be assessed on Thursday; he also hopes that it is not a medial ligament.
He said: “We don’t know we have to wait until tomorrow morning to assess [Gibbs' injury] much better. We do not know now if it is a knock of if it is a twist. If it is only a knock it is only a matter of days but if it is a knee
ligament then that looks to be a bit longer. But we don’t know yet.”
Walcott’s pace attracts tackles
After the match the Frenchman was full of praise for Walcott and his searing pace, he believes that the opposition players are not trying to injure his forward intentionally but are too slow to stop him and hence misjudge their
tackles.
Wenger said: “At his pace, when you get stopped, you are always vulnerable. Tonight, he got one or two tackles and he got away with it because he did not have his full weight on his standing leg. But against Switzerland, for example,
what can you do? He is not vulnerable because of his injuries, it was a tackle. “
The Gunners emphatic 4-0 win against Newcastle in the Carling Cup has helped them book their place in the quarterfinals. Walcott’s performance was top class in that match. It was the 1st start for the England International
since suffering an injury while on national duty.
It was the forward’s 1st comeback game and his manager was keeping a close eye on him. Walcott put in a fine individual performance for the team as he scored twice in the game. Although he rode a series of challenges,
but without any ill-effect, Wenger was a much relieved man after watching his dynamic forward getting through with the match unharmed.
Carling Cup Controversy
The Carling Cup encounter between the two teams was an exhibition of their 2nd string squad strengths, both making 9 changes in their sides. Although it was an exciting game which saw end-to-end stuff, but Arsenal should
consider themselves lucky for their first two goals.
In the injury time of 1st half, clearance from the Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor from the goal line, saw the ball taking deflection of keeper Tim Krul’s back and dropped into the net.
There was even more controversy about the Gunners second goal when Nicklas Bendtner appeared to block Newcastle defender Mike Williamson after coming from an offside position, making way for Walcott who scored in some style.
Bendtner later finished off the game when he scored the 3rd goal in the 83rd minute. The home fans were left trailing when Walcott wrapped up a deserved win and scored his 2nd two minutes from time.
Walcott had been in exquisite form since the start of season, scoring 4 times in 4 games. One just hopes that the forward stays away from injuries as he is a key player and Arsenal need to keep him fit if they are to challenge
for the title.
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