Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger praises ‘mature’ Theo Walcott
Arsene Wenger praises the "mature" Theo Walcott after the Arsenal forward fired the Gunners to victory at Queens Park Rangers
Arsene Wenger has heaped praise on the “mature” Theo Walcott after the Arsenal forward fired the Gunners to victory at Queens Park Rangers.
The 24-year-old England international struck inside 21 seconds in west London to hand the Gunners their first-ever Premier League win at Loftus Road and help move Wenger’s men into third place in the table.
Walcott’s winner was his 20th strike in all competitions for Arsenal this season – and Wenger believes he is becoming more clinical in front of goal.
“He is 24 now,” said Wenger. “He’s a mature player and he has improved his finishing.
“He has improved his ability to resist to pressure from the opponent. It was a similar goal to the one he scored on Sunday against Manchester United.”
Tottenham had temporarily moved ahead of their north London rivals into fourth place in the table with a 1-0 victory over Southampton before Arsenal’s win at QPR.
But Wenger insists the Gunners are purely focused on their own results as the race for Champions League qualification hots up.
“I knew the [Spurs] score but for us it’s the same if Tottenham draw or win,” he continued.
“We have to win our game. We can only focus on what is needed for us – win the game and prepare for the next one.
“We’ve done that for a long time now. We’re on a very strong run and we’re up for it. We’re ready for a fight and the team is highly focused to do it.”
Arsenal’s next Premier League game is a home clash against Wigan Athletic on 14 May.
