Arsene Wenger on Kieran Gibbs’ injury and Theo Walcott’s performance

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was of course delighted with his side’s performance in the Carling Cup as they eased past Newcastle on Wednesday night.

Speaking right after the game to Sky Sports, the Frenchman was full of praise for striker Theo Walcott, explaining how the Englishman is becoming more and more clinical in front of goal. Wenger highlighted the first touch of the striker as he also explained how the 21-year old is more intelligent in his decision-making.

The youngster used to be criticised for failing to deliver in the final third but according to Wenger, hard-work during pre-season saw him improve and is now ready to deliver after recovering from injury.

Asked about the injury to Kieran Gibbs, the Frenchman said how he hopes it is nothing serious as he revealed it is a knee injury which will be assessed on Thursday, hoping it’s not “a twist of the medial ligament”.

After the win, Wenger said:

[Walcott] is more composed in front of goal, the timing of his runs has always been good but his first touch has improved and his intelligence is improving.

He has worked hard since the beginning of the season. [He was] flying at the start of the season but the injury he had [prevented him progressing]. It was a strong start and you could see today he is ready.

We don’t know we have to wait until tomorrow morning to assess [Gibbs' injury] much better. We do not know now if it is a knock of if it is a twist. If it is only a knock it is only a matter of days but if it is a knee ligament then that looks to be a bit longer. But we don’t know yet.