Arsene Wenger backs out-of-form Theo Walcott for Arsenal resurgence

Theo Walcott celebrates scoring during the FA Cup game between Hull City and Arsenal on March 8, 2016
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is certain that goal-shy Theo Walcott will rediscover his red-hot form over the coming years.

Arsene Wenger has suggested that out-of-form Arsenal forward Theo Walcott will shine for the Gunners over the next five years.

England boss Roy Hodgson raised eyebrows last week by naming the 27-year-old in his squad for friendlies with Germany and the Netherlands, despite netting one Premier League goal this calendar year.

It has been a testing campaign on the whole for Walcott, who celebrated a decade in North London in January, but Wenger is convinced that his "positive attitude" will see him dazzle in the coming years.

"I like that we live in a society where people always want new faces and new names," he told the club's official website.

"But we forget sometimes the loyalty, cohesion and the long-term phase that is needed in a player to be successful at the club. You need players through the generations and I'm very pleased with him.

"He's been here for 10 years, that shows as well that he loves Arsenal and I'm convinced he will give us much more in the next five years than the last five. Because he is a player who is always moving forward and trying to do better. He has a very positive attitude."

Walcott, who was used as a centre-forward for the first few months of this season, has netted eight times from 33 appearances in all competitions.

Moenchengladbach's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (L) and Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match on March 22, 2015
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