Euro 2016 heartache has inspired Theo Walcott's Arsenal revival, says Arsene Wenger

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James Benge26 September 2016

The disappointment of missing out on the England squad for Euro 2016 has spurred Theo Walcott on to rediscover his best form at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger said.

Walcott lost his starting spot for Arsenal after a disappointing run at centre forward last season and it cost him the chance to travel to France in the summer. A move for Jamie Vardy in the transfer window seemed to spell the end for the 27-year-old, who was a transfer target for West Ham.

But Walcott has been rewarded for his decision to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal and has looked reinvigorated as a right winger. His improving form reached a pinnacle on Saturday as he scored the second goal in a 3-0 win over Chelsea but also won praise for his high-energy defensive work alongside Hector Bellerin.

“I said many times at the start of the season that we would see a different Theo Walcott,” Wenger said. “I could see he made a decision and sticks to it.

“I spoke to him about the disappointment of not going with England. He is a special case. He went at 16 to the World Cup. We are now at 2016 and he hasn't been to another World Cup.

“He has matured, when a player survives this type of disappointment from what was promised for him at 16, the way he dealt with the situation, I always felt there was something special in this guy.

“I think he used to be 90 per cent forward and 10 per cent defending. Today he is 50-50. He does the job both ways and he does it both ways with commitment. And I always felt there is character and intelligence in this boy. He is a guy with a good assessment of his performances and qualities.”

Walcott’s goal was his 101st for club and country and came on his 350th appearance for Arsenal.

The tap-in for the winger was the culmination of fine build-up play between Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi, the latter slipping a ball behind the backline for Walcott to slot home.

In Pictures | Theo Walcott's 12 years at Arsenal

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“It was a great move and I’d like to get 10 more of those a season,” Walcott said. “They’re nice, but I was in the right place at the right time and I was pleased with that.

“But like I say, I’m more pleased with the three points and we’ve obviously got a big game on Wednesday now. We’ve got to recover well, there’s games coming thick and fast now.”

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