Wenger ponders Walcott loan

Gunners boss reportedly contemplates loaning out teenager

By James Dall   Last updated: 24th January 2008

Theo Walcott

Walcott: Possible loan deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to send Theo Walcott out on loan, according to reports.

Walcott joined The Gunners from Southampton in January 2006 in a deal that could cost up to £12million.

However, Wenger has used the 18-year-old sparingly, handing him just nine Premier League starts since his switch.

Ready

The French tactician recently moved to play down reports that he was unhappy with Walcott's development.

But speculation suggests Wenger could be set to loan Walcott out to a top flight club, with the view to guaranteeing that he will play regular first-team football.

"There is a gap here between playing in the reserves and our first team," he said in The Sun.

"So I try to loan them to another club, to get them ready."