Walcott ready to take start

Arsene Wenger reckons Theo Walcott is "ready" to stake his claim for a central attacking role with Arsenal. Leading scorer Robin van Persie is set to be sidelined for around six weeks after he sustained a knee injury while on international duty with Holland. The Barclays Premier League leaders host managerless Bolton on Saturday looking for an 11th straight victory.

Having recovered from a shoulder injury which required surgery during the summer and kept him out of the European Under-21 championships, Wenger believes Walcott has looked sharp in the early stages of the new campaign.

The Arsenal manager feels now could be the time to move the attack-minded youngster to a more central role.

"Walcott will get a chance as well in this position because I feel now he is ready to play through the middle," said Wenger.

"We are only in October and he made a big impact last time he came on - and you know things change quickly.

"In football you have always to be ready, and it is a good opportunity for him as well, not only for Eduardo."