Mikel Arteta says Theo Walcott is a "unique" talent who can help bring out the best in Arsenal this season.
The England international made an eye-catching comeback against Burnley on Saturday - nearly 10 months after suffering knee-ligament damage - and could have ended his 10-minute cameo with a goal and an assist.
"He has been here a long time and he is a player who gives us something very, very different"
Walcott's pace, movement and eye for goal will add something extra to Arsenal's attack and Arteta is glad to have him back.
"Theo is a unique player," said the captain. "He has been here a long time and he is a player who gives us something very, very different.
"Theo has been tremendous in the last few seasons so to get a player like him back after such a long time can only be a positive for us."
Walcott's return has been carefully managed by Arsene Wenger and his medical staff, but the manager is not against the prospect of an England call-up for his fit-again forward.
"Yes, because he needs competition and needs games," said Wenger. "I am happy if he goes with England because during that period here is more a rest period because there is nobody here.
"He is now in the period where he needs hard training."
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
