Arsene Wenger says believes Arsenal striker Theo Walcott is ready for an England recall after his brace in the 7-0 Champions League win over Slavia Prague.
Walcott, 18, was a susprise inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s 2006 World Cup squad but did not play in Germany and has not been picked for the senior side under present coach Steve McClaren.
Wenger said: “You complain you don’t have many strikers and accuse Arsenal of not producing enough England players – Theo is one of them.
“He is intelligent, has fantastic pace and his technique is improving.
“Theo has the talent, that is why he is at Arsenal,” continued Wenger.
“I’m convinced he has the talent and I’m convinced he has the ingredients in him.
“He is clinical in front of goal, he did not panic with the first one and with the second there was a really clinical finish.
“The problem is not to hurry too much, you need to be patient.”
“There was a touch of Thierry Henry about his second goal,” admitted Wenger. “The first quality is to be composed and not to rush things. Once Theo scored his first, you saw him much more. When they opened up the space, you could see his runs and pace, and the fact he is clinical in front of goal.”
And former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, now with Barcelona, echoed Wenger’s sentiments after his side drew 0-0 at Rangers.
“You need to let him grow because whenever he doesn’t play well everybody is having a go at him,” said the Frenchman.
“Just remember he is young.
“He has all the qualities to do it but you need to let him grow.”
Walcott admitted he had learned a lot from training alongside the Frenchman.
“People will say that my second goal was like a Thierry Henry finish and I watched him in training all the time,” said Walcott. “I had a chance tonight and I took it. It was an absolutely brilliant team performance.”
