Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he had a conversation with England manager Roy Hodgson to talk about resting Theo Walcott earlier this month.
Watch more brilliant snippets like this with fanatix’s FREE sports video news app
Speaking to the assembled media on Friday, as reported by Sky Sports, the French tactician was forced to explain why he had requested that the striker not play against Lithuania in the final Euro 2016 qualifier.
Given the artificial pitch at the LFF Stadium, Wenger didn’t want the 26-year-old risking another injury having returned for a long-term knee problem and Hodgson ultimately made the final decision and left Walcott out.
However, reporters in attendance were keen to get more answers out of Wenger over the situation despite the fact that he was seemingly just looking out for his player and protecting him from suffering any setbacks.
Walcott has been a key part of the club’s success in recent weeks, as he has displaced Olivier Giroud and featured in the starting line-up regularly as Arsenal have moved to within two points of league leaders Manchester City as well as defeating Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
While the Frenchman is keeping the pressure on him by continuously coming off the bench to score, Wenger confirmed to the press that Walcott would be the starter moving forward, as noted by Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, the Gunners boss was left to rue Aaron Ramsey’s hamstring injury suffered against Bayern in midweek, and so he will be forced to consider his alternatives when his side take on Everton this weekend.
COMMENTS