Wenger: Walcott is Arsenal's secret weapon

[sportsbot]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Theo Walcott is emerging as a key figure in the north London club's fight to finish third.

The England winger provided vital assists for both his team's goals in the dramatic added-time victory over Newcastle United that moved Wenger's side to within one point of third-placed Tottenham.

Robin van Persie struck the first from Walcott's cross to claim his 33rd goal of the season. But while the Arsenal captain has been the dominant figure throughout the Gunners' campaign, Wenger insists Walcott is playing an equally important role.

The Arsenal manager said: "I think people forget about Theo because he is so long in the spotlight that people forget he is 23 years old and he is now getting to an age where you perform. It's as simple as that. He develops well because he is intelligent and I feel tactically and technically tonight he played a complete game."

Walcott laid on the last minute cross that was turned home by Thomas Vermaelen to seal a fifth successive Premier League win and maintain Arsenal's recent record of last gasp victories.

fifa.com