Wenger: 'It was a typical beginning of the season game'

Last updated : 19 August 2006 By Chris Parry
He was pleased with the debut performance of Theo Walcott, saying:

"There are positives and negatives in being picked by the national team at such a young age. The negatives are that everyone expects such a lot from someone at an age where, if he comes on in the first team, everyone should be happy if he just gives a good pass.

"For him, being 'starified' so early, everyone will expect something a little bit special from him every time he comes on. At 17 that's not easy. The positive thing is that he's in touch with the top level in the game and that is important to see how players respond and deal with the pressure at an early age. That is good because he will learn quickly."

"It was a tricky situation when he came on. I know a lot is expected from him but I am pleased he was not depressed. He had that sharpness that we missed a little bit today and straight away he was dangerous on the left flank. He was involved in the goal we scored and when he came on his overall performance was very positive."

Of the team's performance he had this to say:

"I am not pleased but at least we didn't start with a defeat. It was a typical beginning of the season game where the players were not completely ready physically, added to the fact that many of them played 90 minutes in midweek.