Theo Walcott return boosts Arsenal

ARSENE WENGER reckons Theo Walcott's return means Arsenal don't need to splash out in the January transfer window.

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Theo Walcott's return provides the Gunners with plenty of options [EPA/KERIM OKTEN]

Boss Wenger spent last summer trying to bring in a big-money forward.

But after losing out to Napoli in the race for Gonzalo Higuain and failing to nab Liverpool's Luis Suarez, he went into the campaign relying totally on Olivier Giroud up font.

Giroud's five league goals and the outstanding return of six league strikes from midfielder Aaron Ramsey has helped mask the shortage of forward options available to Wenger.

“Theo gives us an opportunity to use a mobile striker. It gives us options to score, to go behind to create space in the middle”

Arsene Wenger

Now England wide man Walcott is in the squad for today's visit of his former club Southampton after sitting out the last two months following abdominal surgery, with Lukas Podolski due back in three weeks.

Wenger said: "Theo gives us an opportunity to use a mobile striker. It gives us options to score, to go behind to create space in the middle.
"We have a lot of players who like to come to the ball, so to have one or two who go behind and create space gives us something else.

"I am not against buying in January. I don't say I never make a mistake - I've certainly made some.
"Sometimes it is because we didn't sign the right player."
Wenger confirmed Jack Wilshere is fit to play and denies Arsenal and the FA are at loggerheads over the demands placed on him.
He said: "There is no problem."