Wenger ‘wanted to keep Walcott’

Arsene Wenger insists he did not contemplate selling Theo Walcott during the summer, despite a lacklustre 2015/16 campaign from the forward.

The Arsenal boss believes his side are now benefiting from a revitalised Walcott, who the Frenchman thinks is a “different player” this season.

Walcott only started 15 Premier League games last term, scoring five goals, and was left out of England’s Euro 2016 squad.

He was subsequently linked with West Ham, among others, but ended up staying at the Emirates Stadium and has already matched last season’s goal tally after a double against Swansea on Saturday.

Asked about the reported interest in Walcott over the summer, Wenger said: “Look, I haven’t spoken to anybody because I was not ready to let him go. I always wanted to keep him.

“What I’ve seen of him [this season] is that he lets the passion for the game come out of his body. That’s what you want from him.

“I’ve felt that, since he’s played with more freedom, maybe he lets his feelings come out a bit more and is less calculating: ‘Can I do that or can I not do that?’

“He plays with more freedom and more desire. I think …

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