Arsene Wenger comends Theo Walcott’s finishing, ..warns him to be patient in his quest to be a striker

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hinted that Theo Walcott could get his wish and move up front after his double helped the Gunners to a 6-1 League Cup victory over Coventry City.

The 23-year-old is involved in a lengthy contract wrangle with the north London club, expressing his desire to play centrally instead of out wide as a condition of staying at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger hailed Walcott’s lethal finishing but told him to remain patient in his quest to be a striker.

Walcott, 23, fired two goals from the wing as six-hit Gunners landed a fourth-round Capital One Cup visit to Reading.

Boss Wenger said: “He is a great finisher in front of goal, absolutely amazing.

“But at the moment there is big competition up front and the team is doing well.

“His time will come. At the moment we have to be patient.”