Wenger plays down comparisons between Arsenal pair

Saturday, September 15, 2012
8:34 AM

Arsene Wenger insists Theo Walcott and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain are very different players, despite both coming from Southampton’s academy.

Walcott shot to prominence after his move to the Emirates when he was controversially selected for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s 2006 World Cup squad despite not making his Arsenal debut.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has also made a quick step up to international football, but Wenger insists he sees the pair very differently.

“They are a different style,” said the Arsenal manager.

“I believe that Walcott is more of a striker-type and Chamberlain a more midfielder-type,” said Wenger.

“You could see Chamberlain developing into a central midfielder, but you could never with Walcott.

“I see Walcott developing through the middle as a striker and Chamberlain maybe a central midfielder.”

Both players could turn out against their former club when the Gunners face Southampton at the Emirates today.