Wenger thrilled by more mature Walcott

Wenger introduced Walcott just after the hour mark which proved a key substitution as the pace of the England Under-21 winger helped stretch the Bolton defence, and the manager has been more than impressed by the 18-year-old's progress following an operation on his shoulder during the summer.

Wenger said: "He has found the injection of pace he had before and he uses his body better. When you see what he brings when he came on, you are very excited."

He added: "I see him playing through the middle eventually, but I played [Alexander] Hleb there because there was so little space.

"Certainly Theo has benefited mentally rather than 'footballistically', but maturity-wise it helped him."

Walcott has certainly come a long way since he shot into the media spotlight following a high-profile move from Southampton and his subsequent inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad for 2006 World Cup.

Wenger reflected: "He saw how little forgiveness there is when you don't perform. As a young kid, you don't imagine football is like that.

"You need to give people time and allow them to see what's important in the game.

"Everything was new for him last year, but he is growing into a man now.

"It has all happened very quickly and now he has realised things are not always easy in life and football."