MX23RW : Monday, November 25 09:24:26| >> :60:128:128:

Arsene Wenger: 'Theo Walcott knows how to bounce back from disappointment'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sticks up for Theo Walcott's captaincy qualities, describing the England winger as a focused and positive character.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended Theo Walcott's captaincy qualities, describing the winger as a focused and positive character.

A number of Gunners fans were critical of Wenger's decision to make Walcott captain when they hosted West Ham United on Wednesday, a game which finished 3-0 to Arsenal.

Wenger told The Guardian: "[Walcott] has a huge level of focus. I looked at his numbers the other day, he has played wide since the start of the season and he has played 20 games and scored 10 goals in the Premier League. For a wide player that's quite positive.

"He has improved his defensive commitment a lot compared to what it was before, he was sometimes a bit less focused on the teamwork. On that front he has improved tremendously. He shows on a daily basis a huge commitment.

"He doesn't compromise with what he thinks is important. When I have meetings with players he speaks his mind. He is a positive guy.

"If you look at his career, he can respond to disappointment with good focus. He had a very bad injury [in 2014] and came back. In 2006 he was in the World Cup and since he has not been. That is basically 11 years later and he has gone through very early high up and he is still there."

Arsenal resume their chase for a top-four Premier League finish this season by taking on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday.

ID:295671: cacheID:295671:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2344:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on the touchline during the match against Liverpool on March 4, 2017
Read Next:
Ozil urges Wenger to make decision over future
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!