Walcott set for quick debut

Arsene Wenger feels Theo Walcott is ready to challenge for a place in Arsenal's first team.

Arsenal confirmed the arrival of the 16-year-old from Southampton on Friday and Wenger could not hide his glee at landing one of the most promising youngsters in world football.

Reports had suggested that Walcott may be given a few months to adapt to Premiership life, but Wenger is ready to blood him straight away.

"I am very happy because I think we have signed an excellent talent and as a player he is ready to compete in the first team," he told Sky Sports News.

"Maybe he needs an adaptation of a few weeks, but after that you have to be open - you look at the quality and not the age of the players."

Walcott has already been likened to Wayne Rooney and Wenger accepts he classes his new acquisition in a similar bracket.

"Wayne Rooney has achieved a lot and he [Walcott] has the same ingredients at the same age and he is a big, big prospect for England," he said.

"I saw that in Wayne and it seems he has taken the big step forward and I am convinced Theo will do the same."

The Arsenal chief feels he has got a very versatile player, saying: "I see him up front everywhere, left, right and centre."

Wenger was understandably happy to have beaten Chelsea to Walcott's signature.

"I would say we were on the case longer than Chelsea," he opined.

"We have been after him for over two years now and have monitored him.

"He feels he can play here and that he will get a chance.

"He feels that young players get a chance here and we have concrete proof of that and he wants to be part of a project going into the new stadium.

"His attitude is what I expect from a young player and his talent is what I expect from a young player, and the rest is always a gamble when you buy a player, not just when he is young - it is just a little bigger - but I was prepared to take that gamble.

"I believe he is capable of handling the pressure and I believe he is at that age where the motivation is there.

"And of course he is a young English talent and sometimes I feel I get an unjust trial because I don't play English players but if I feel they are good enough they will play."