Wenger tips Walcott to take centre stage for Arsenal and England

Walcott, 18, marked his first start in Europe's elite level club competition with a brace in an impressive display from a more central attacking role as Slavia Prague were crushed 7-0 at Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago.

The England Under-21 international is expected to feature again for the return encounter in the Czech Republic on Wednesday night.

Wenger is more than happy with the progress Walcott has made this season, having now fully recovered from a shoulder problem which needed surgery over the summer.

It has been a sometimes difficult journey to date for the one-time Southampton trainee, who found himself thrust into the media spotlight following his big-money move to Arsenal during January 2006 and subsequent controversial inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's ill-fated World Cup squad.

Wenger, though, believes Walcott can take it all in his stride - and could soon find himself firmly back in the plans of current England head coach Steve McClaren.

"These games have convinced us that he has the quality at the highest level," said the Arsenal boss said.

"Many people disregarded him, and now in the mind of English people he is again present as a striker who can play in the national team."

Wenger added: "I could have played him in the centre at first, but I kept him on the wing at first because it was a chance for him to develop his technique.

"There was a danger he could suffer a lack of goals if he played through the middle, but I am convinced he would never go 10 games without scoring."

Wenger maintains Walcott will soon be giving defenders in the English top flight the runaround, provided he continues to work hard on his approach.

"Theo does not need to do a lot," said the Arsenal boss. "Maybe the Premier League is a little more aggressive and that is the domain where he can improve.

"This isn't an issue of strength, this is about what I call natural commitment.

"The level of this commitment is a bit higher in the Premier League than in other leagues and I believe he needs to adjust to that.

"For the rest, I feel it will all come naturally."

Wenger knows his side - with a 100% record in Group H - will have to guard against the smug feeling they just have to turn up at the Evzena Rosickeho Stadium to get another win and secure their place in the knock-out phase.

He said: "Our major target is not to be complacent.

"We want to qualify as quickly as possible, and can achieve that at Slavia Prague.

"The players may think we just need to turn up at take the points, but on the other side they will be really have a huge desire to show that the result at Emirates Stadium was an accident.

"We know it can be extremely difficult away from home. Slavia will certainly be up for it and have a huge desire to put that right again."

Wenger added: "By qualifying as early as possible we can rest players later on and it will help us in the championship.

"At the moment I have not rotated too much because when we had started well, I did not want to take that chance.

"I wanted to give consistency and belief to the side. However, now we are in December, I will have to rotate a bit more because the first signs of fatigue could turn up.

"It is not because of the quality of the players, but sometimes a team loses a bit of certainty about the way they play and their results." Wenger, though, remains confident for what the final six months of the season will bring.

The Arsenal manager reflected: "I thought at the start of the season that we could win the Champions League - but I am not stupid enough to make judgements now.

"Let's see in May - it's down to consistency now."