Wenger: Walcott's role is at striker, not out wide

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says England attacker Theo Walcott will be used as a striker and not as a winger in the 2016-17 season, pointing to Walcott's poor defensive abilities as the reason for the permanent switch.

Walcott was used as both a striker and a winger last season as the Gunners soared to a second-place finish in the Premier League, but Wenger has now made up his mind about where exactly he'll be playing in the Arsenal XI.

"I believe he has all the ingredients to be a great striker. He has the quality of his runs, he's a very intelligent players, he's a good finisher," Wenger said of Walcott, according to ESPN FC. "He's not a great defender so to use his runs in the final third for us could be very efficient.

"On the flank today so much defensive work is asked of the players. You lose a lot of his qualities when you put him there. I don't really doubt that for me, in my head, I will use him more up front."

Whether Walcott's positional switch is down to preference or to necessity remains to be seen, as Wenger has made no secret of his desire to bolster his striker ranks during the summer transfer window.

The Gunners have yet to acquire another forward and Walcott's switch to a more natural No. 9 position could be the result of a lack of activity in the market.

While Wenger affirmed that the club is actively looking for more options - linked with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon - he's also making sure they don't overspend on players, either.

"It's not the prices, it's the players. The money is never a problem if you have to pay what is requested," Wenger said, according to Sky Sports. "The price of a player is down to four ingredients; one is the talent, two is his age, three is how much you expect him to improve your team, and four is his resale value.

"If he ticks all four boxes then the price is not that important. You have to find the player.

"We do not have to panic but we are on alert in the transfer market so that we can make the right move when the opportunity comes up."