Walcott set for Wenger talks

Frustrated striker ready to confront manager

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 19th April 2008

Football Premier League Arsenal Theo Walcott

Walcott: Wants a starting role

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Theo Walcott is ready to confront Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger over his lack of first-team opportunities at Emirates Stadium.

Wenger has openly admitted that he favours using Walcott as an impact substitute and the 19-year-old forward has had a limited role in the Arsenal first XI this season.

Walcott, who spoke to Wenger in October about what he needed to do to figure more prominently, has received praise for his influence from the bench following impressive displays against Milan and Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.

The former Southampton star insists he has done everything asked of him by Wenger and he is again set to seek discussions with his boss if he is not handed a starting role at home to Reading on Saturday, a match which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1.

Aggressive

"I had a word with the manager in October," Walcott said in the Daily Telegraph.

"I basically said 'what do I have to do to start a game?' He said, 'you've got to be a bit more aggressive'. Not kicking people. But running at players, doing defensive duties and tucking into midfield when we haven't got the ball.

"Of late, I've been doing all those things, but I still haven't had a run in the starting line-up. Hopefully this weekend I will, and if not I'll knock on the door again and say, 'now what do I have to do?'

"I have been working hard the last couple of months. I deserve a couple of games on the trot, I think."

Striking role

Walcott is also frustrated by Wenger's insistence on playing him on the right wing and he is keen for an opportunity in a striking role.

"I've been playing out wide all season, but when I've played up front I've done really well," Walcott added.

"He sees me as a striker, which is nice, so hopefully I'll play a bit more up front next year. We'll see."