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ARSENE WENGER has admitted teenager Theo Walcott has not improved as much as expected since arriving at Arsenal.
Walcott, 18, signed for the Gunners two years ago tomorrow in a £5million move from Southampton — which could rise to £12m — where he was already a first-team regular.
He spent his first year settling in and then coping with a shoulder injury.
But he has made just nine Premier League starts this season and had to be substituted against Birmingham last week.
Even today, in the absence of the injured Robin van Persie, there is no room for him in the squad to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
And Wenger, who now believes Walcott is not suited to the role of a winger, said: “He will get where I expect him to be but, at the moment, he is not.
“There is always a risk when you step up a level but I still think the sooner you are at the top, top level the better it is.
“He was troubled a little bit when I took him off last weekend.
"It can happen at that age and it’s part of the learning process. They have to deal with that.
“The expectation level is very high because he is very young and he has been projected early into the spotlight.
"He feels the pressure. He wants to fulfil the ambitions and expectation level that people have for him. But I still believe he is strong enough and good enough to make it.
“He plays on confidence and he has qualities that will come out.
"I tried to force him to play wide but I am now convinced he will be a central player.
"He played well in that role against Slavia Prague and he may play in very similar games in the centre.”
Walcott scored twice in the 7-0 Champions League demolition of Prague — but was then dropped to the bench.
His only other goal this season came in the Carling Cup against Spurs.
Wenger said: “It is tough for players when they are on the bench but that’s part of the learning process of the job.
“He is not happy when he doesn’t play but I believe he is on the way to get into the team and I am confident that before the end of the season he can make that step.”
Wenger also admitted that Walcott’s shoulder injury has affected his form.
The teenager has inherited a congenital fault from his father Don, which means the shoulder ligaments are too slack.
He first dislocated his shoulder in a reserve match for Southampton against Portsmouth in December 2005 following a crunching challenge from Linvoy Primus.
Then he fell heavily at Everton last March and needed an operation.
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Richard Wright
Francis Jeffers
Theo Walcott?
