Arsenal

Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal have missed Theo Walcott'

By Alex Meyers, Reporter | 21 November 2013

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that he is pleased Theo Walcott is available to play for the club again following his recent injury problems.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed his delight that Theo Walcott is available after recovering from injury.

The 24-year-old has been unable to play for the last two months after sustaining an abdominal injury, but he has been named in the squad for this weekend's match against Southampton.

"He is one of the players who goes behind [the defence] without the ball," Wenger told Arsenal Player. "Strikers who get behind the defenders is a very important quality and Theo [Walcott] has that quality.

"Of course you miss a player like Theo Walcott. Theo had a good start to the season, he scored goals, he provided chances and had assists. He can always give you a different option in the game and that is of course vital.

"You always want to have a perfect balance [in attack]. If you look at our results our balance was not too bad. But Theo has different qualities to other players and I am very pleased that he's back."

Arsenal are currently top of the league ahead of Saturday's home game against the Saints.