Wenger praises ‘stronger’ Theo

Theo Walcott left his teenage years behind him today as he celebrated his 20th birthday with a ringing endorsement from Arsene Wenger.

Walcott made his return to the starting line-up on Saturday following a long period out with a shoulder injury and helped inspire the team to a 4-0 win over Blackburn.

The former Southampton forward, who has had to live with high expectations since going to the 2006 World Cup as an unknown teenager, started to deliver at the start of the season for both Arsenal and England, before the injury disrupted his campaign.

But he is now fit and firing once again and ready to inspire Wenger's side to a strong end-of-season run-in, starting with the FA Cup quarter-final against Hull tomorrow night.

Asked about Walcott's impressive return to the starting line-up, Wenger said: "He made a very good start and he became stronger and stronger. He goes behind the defenders and creates room and he has a direct game. We need that. It is important to have him back and he gives you something that can make a difference in any game.

"Compared to one year ago there is no comparison, that is what people sometimes have problems to accept. At that age, every three months you go higher up but how much, you can never predict. But there is still a lot more to come."