Wenger warming to Walcott's new role

Arsene Wenger thinks Theo Walcott is starting to show signs that he can convert himself from a winger to a top goal-scoring striker in the same way that Thierry Henry did at Arsenal.

Wenger has acquiesced to Walcott's demands to play a more central role in the last two weeks and the move has paid off handsomely. The 23-year-old scored in the Gunners' 5-2 victory over Reading and then won the penalty that handed Arsenal their vital win over Wigan last weekend.

"I like what I have seen of Theo through the middle," Wenger said. "It's an interesting challenge (for him). I think he can take it on."

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