Walcott - staying with the
Gunners.
Wenger: Walcott going nowhere on
loan
Arsene Wenger has no intention of letting Theo Walcott or any other
of his Arsenal youngsters out on loan. The Gunners - who host
Newcastle in the fourth round of the FA Cup tomorrow - are still
smarting from the midweek mauling at arch-rivals Tottenham, as
Juande Ramos' men booked their place in the Carling Cup final at
Wembley after a resounding 5-1 win.
Walcott started the game at White Hart Lane from a central
attacking role, having netted an equaliser in the first leg.
However, the England Under-21 international produced only an
average display.
Wenger accepts Walcott, who turns 19 in March, is not where he was
expected to be after two years with Arsenal - but maintains 'he
will get there' following what has been a rollercoaster ride after
a big-money move from Southampton and subsequent controversial
inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's ill-fated 2006 World Cup
squad.
There have been suggestions the Arsenal manager could now be ready
to let Walcott, who has battled back to match fitness following a
shoulder problem, spend some time away from Emirates Stadium, with
Liverpool and Coca-Cola Championship promotion hopefuls Stoke both
said to be keen on a loan deal.
However, the Arsenal manager maintains he needs all of his squad as
they enter a crucial phase of the season - especially given Kolo
Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song are all away at the African
Nations Cup while striker Robin van Persie remains sidelined.
