Walcott’s ‘dip in form’ not a worry

ARSENE WENGER accepts Theo Walcott has gone through “a little dip in form”, but is more than pleased with the progress of the England starlet a year on from his arrival at Arsenal.

Walcott, now 17, missed a glorious chance to open his account during the 2-2 Carling Cup semi-final first leg draw at Tottenham on Wednesday night, when he did, at times, look less than on top of his own game. Wenger, however, believes such lulls are perfectly natural at this stage of the young man’s career.

“I think he had developed very well, but recently he had a little dip in form,” said the Arsenal manager. “He is certainly miles better than six months ago. I feel at the moment he needs a goal or a shot of confidence because for me he looks a bit short of confidence right now.

“I think you necessarily go through that period when you are 17. It is all worry free, fresh and new – afterwards the responsibility hits you and you go through a little patch like that.

“But he is a level-headed boy and analyses things well. Sometimes that is a disadvantage.”

Wenger expects Bolton to provide another “good character test” for his Arsenal side in tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at the Emirates.

Kevin Nolan, the Trotters’ captain, maintains his side would be happy to “win ugly” when the two sides meet for the third season running in the famous old knock-out competition. Wenger, however, insists there is much more to Sam Allardyce’s side than just kick-and-rush football.

“They are always a good character test – but they are a good side as well. People sometimes forget that,” said the Arsenal manager.

“Okay they might have minimal resources, but they have people like Nicolas Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf – they are not minimal resources players. Bolton can play. You cannot say that (Gary) Speed is not a football player. Nor (Ivan) Campo, or Nolan, or Anelka, or Diouf. They are football players — good football players.

“Chelsea wanted (Tal) Ban Haim – it is not just because he can kick the ball, it is because he is a good football player. That is why they get results.”

Leading scorer Robin van Persie is unlikely to feature again this season following an operation on his broken metatarsal.

And as several other first-choice players are struggling with injury, not to mention the suspension of key midfielder Gilberto, Wenger admits he has little room for manoeuvre in team selection.

However, goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to be given another breather, while Cesc Fabregas – who has played in all but three matches this season – could start on the bench.

“We have so many that my memory is not good enough to remember them all,” replied Wenger when asked to list the absences.

“We’ve got Gallas (thigh), Hleb (hamstring), Van Persie (foot) and Gilberto is suspended. Also there is Eboue (ankle) and Djourou (hamstring). Oh I forgot Ljungberg (hamstring),” he said.

Robin van Persie had surgery in Holland yesterday and when asked for a return time, Wenger replied: “They say six to eight weeks but in our experience it is two and a half months.”

Gallas has already been out almost that long and the manager explained why his thigh injury has lingered. “The biggest problem is to fight his impatience,” said Wenger. “He has had two setbacks because he tried to rush back. And I feel we are guilty of helping him to rush back. I will take the needed time now. My biggest worry after such a long injury is that he needs to be really ready.

“He should be back in two to three weeks but I still would not like to put any set time on it.”