Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed England winger Theo Walcott will 'definitely' be fit and available for this summer's Euros.
Boss believes rest could benefit winger ahead of tournament
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed England winger Theo Walcott will 'definitely' be fit and available for this summer's European Championship.
The 23-year-old limped out of last weekend's goalless draw against Chelsea with a hamstring problem and will not feature in the Gunners' Premier League clash at Stoke on Saturday.
However, Wenger is hopeful he could be fit before the end of the season and says he will have recovered in time for the Euros.
Available
He said: "It is less serious than we thought. He has a small chance to play in the last game [of the season].
"For the Euros, he is definitely available.
"I think in fact the injury of Walcott is good news for England because he just has a little rest.
"He had enough competition and now he has a little rest before going there so he should be in a good frame of mind and physically fit."
Wenger felt this campaign was Walcott's "best season yet", with the forward having netted 11 goals.
"Theo gets criticism because he raises the level of expectation so much that when he has a disappointing game or doesn't make the difference, people straight away go at him because they expect something special," he said.
Arsenal head to Stoke looking to cement third place in the Premier League, which could have all but been secured already had they not dropped points with a home defeat by Wigan and a frustrating goalless draw against Chelsea last week.
Tested
"We have been tested on that front, so we can have confidence to have the mental strength," said Wenger.
"We have been in worse situations than we are in now, so it is a good opportunity to show it.
"I am confident and I believe Saturday is a good mental test for us. We have done well away from home recently.
"At Stoke we have not done so well, so now is a good time to start to change it."
