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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: Theo Walcott has answered his critics following display against Burnley
Extent of Fabregas injury unknown after captain limps off...
6 Mar 2010 18:17:00
By Nick Price
Arsene Wenger has heralded Theo Walcott after the England international scored to help Arsenal to a 3-1 victory over Burnley.
Walcott came in for heavy criticism from former England international Chris Waddle who claimed that the 21-year-old lacked a 'football brain' after a disappointing display in the friendly against Egypt.
"He has shown the best way to answer critics is with a performance on the pitch," Wenger told Sky Sports.
"That's what he did today. He's strong mentally, and I knew we would get a response."
"I believe he has a football brain. People forget sometimes how young he is, he's just come back from long injury. He played very well in the first half. There is a lot of pressure in this country."
Walcott's decisive goal today was accompanied by a string of passes for Nicklas Bendtner, who spurned several clear cut chances.
"Nicklas had quite a strange game today, contribution in all the game was good but he missed the finish," said Wenger, "the team made up for it though."
The French boss again touched on the injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey, and suggested that it had brought the team closer together.
"We have great togetherness, for sure," he said.
"What we have gone through this year, we need to be strong. We have belief and hunger - we will fight."
However, Wenger was not sure whether captain Cesc Fabregas would be available for his side in the midweek Champions League game against Porto, after the Spaniard, who opened the scoring at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon, limped off injured.
"It's a hamstring scare; I don't know how deep the damage is."
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Walcott came in for heavy criticism from former England international Chris Waddle who claimed that the 21-year-old lacked a 'football brain' after a disappointing display in the friendly against Egypt.
"He has shown the best way to answer critics is with a performance on the pitch," Wenger told Sky Sports.
"That's what he did today. He's strong mentally, and I knew we would get a response."
"I believe he has a football brain. People forget sometimes how young he is, he's just come back from long injury. He played very well in the first half. There is a lot of pressure in this country."
Walcott's decisive goal today was accompanied by a string of passes for Nicklas Bendtner, who spurned several clear cut chances.
"Nicklas had quite a strange game today, contribution in all the game was good but he missed the finish," said Wenger, "the team made up for it though."
The French boss again touched on the injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey, and suggested that it had brought the team closer together.
"We have great togetherness, for sure," he said.
"What we have gone through this year, we need to be strong. We have belief and hunger - we will fight."
However, Wenger was not sure whether captain Cesc Fabregas would be available for his side in the midweek Champions League game against Porto, after the Spaniard, who opened the scoring at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon, limped off injured.
"It's a hamstring scare; I don't know how deep the damage is."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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