Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Theo Walcott still has what it takes to become a 'great striker' despite the player's desire to play on the wing.
Although the 27-year-old has frequented both Arsenal's right-wing and striker position over the past few seasons, earlier this week "?Walcott revealed his desire to play solely as a winger.
But Wenger has ignored Walcott's comments, claiming that the ex-England international has 'the ingredients' to make a great striker.
"?Walcott started up-front for Arsenal in their 8-0 friendly win over Norwegian side Viking, scoring one and assisting another in a confident performance against lesser opposition.
"?"I believe [Walcott] has all the ingredients to become a great striker," said Wenger, according to the "?Daily Mail.
"He has the quality of the runs, he is a very intelligent player and he's a good finisher.
"He's not a great defender, so I believe to use his runs in the final third could be very efficient.
Arsene Wenger says he still sees Theo Walcott as a striker, but that his confidence was knocked last season.
"Scoring goals and playing there will give confidence and slowly convince him, maybe, he can be absolutely fantastic there.
"On the flank, today, you need to do so much defensive work that you lose a lot of his qualities. I don't rule it out, but for me I will use him more up front."
Walcott was left out of Roy Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad, causing a crushing blow to his confidence.
Walcott: "I don't want to be a striker, put me back on the wing."
Three days later...
Walcott scores as a striker. pic.twitter.com/ltOKK1b2qa
However, Wenger believes the hit to Walcott's confidence came after a poor performance against Manchester United in February.
"That was a game where everyone questioned him in that position," Wenger added. "It wasn't only Theo Walcott who didn't perform well "? it was everybody. But from then, people became sceptical.
"He is a confidence player. A year ago he was more confident to play through the middle, so I'm convinced the fact he didn't go to the Euros changed his mind. It was a big blow for him.
"But Theo is intelligent, he analyses well what happens to him and mentally he is very strong. The way he is practising, I'm positive we can get a great season from him."