Arsène Wenger led the applause for Theo Walcott on Tuesday night but Arsenal's
manager has urged the football world not to expect too much, too
soon from the teenager.
Walcott's dazzling run from the edge of his own penalty area set
up a tap-in for Emmanuel Adebayor seven minutes from the end of the
Champions League Quarter-Final at Anfield. Liverpool's late riposte
earned victory and the headlines, but the 19-year-old's moment of
magic had the critics drooling.
Wenger enjoyed Walcott's assist as much as anyone and is
weighing up whether to start the young forward against Manchester
United on Sunday. However, the Frenchman warned that Walcott must
be given time to fulfill his undoubted potential.
"Theo started last Saturday and nobody talked about him on
Sunday, then he had a big impact on Tuesday," said Wenger.
"You have to accept that the player has to mature to have an
impact at this level consistently.
"What he has done on Tuesday night deserves plenty of credit, it
is absolutely fantastic and I am happy for him, but you want him to
be a team player who makes a consistent contribution and keeps that
special thing that he can produce.
"Then he will not only be a good player for Arsenal Football
Club, he will be a world-class player.
"I think that's in him and you want that to come out with him,
but maybe you have to be a little bit patient."