Theo looks the real deal

ARSENE WENGER praised Theo Walcott’s goalscoring instinct and said the England man is “getting closer and closer” to signing a new deal for Arsenal.

Walcott grabbed the only goal against Wolfsburg yesterday to clinch the Emirates Cup for the Gunners.

But the Arsenal manager said neither he nor the player really knows Walcott’s best position

He began yesterday’s match in the central striking role he enjoys, but fi nished up on the left wing after the introduction of Olivier Giroud as a substitute.

And Wenger suggested that Walcott’s favourite role would be in a 4- 4- 2 system – which Arsenal never play.

“It’s a complicated answer,” said Wenger. “If you ask him where he loves to play, even he is not certain.

“When I have played him sometimes on the left, he likes it as well because when he makes a good run he can score.

“In the middle, he would probably like to play off a physically strong player.

“But we have so many offensive players that it’s hard to combine all these players together.

“But I’ve always said that he’s a goalscorer, because he has the movement and the timing and speed of fi nishing.

“He has an eye for taking his chances at the right moment and when he gets in positions he can fi nish well.

“He lives by the quality of his movement. He turns up in the right space in the box. You cannot give that to a player.”

Wenger said that the club and Walcott are “getting closer and closer” to agreeing a new four- year contract.

Walcott pounced fi ve minutes into the second half, guiding home a pass from impressive 17- year- old Jeff Reine- Adelaide with the outside of his right foot.

And goalkeeper Petr Cech kept a clean sheet on his home debut to give Wenger’s men a perfect four pre- season wins ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield meeting with Chelsea at Wembley.

Wenger said: “Pre- season is about preparing to be effi cient in the Premier League, so come back in a month.

“But it has gone well so far.

“Cech is a good communicator and brings a calmness in the way he responds to situations. He will lift the confi dence of our defenders.”

Manchester City target Kevin de Bruyne saw plenty of the ball for Wolfsburg, but last season’s Bundesliga runners- up are not encouraging bids.

And the Belgian fl uffed his team’s best chance with a shot over the bar.