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Last updated : 17 October 2006 By Gary Holmes

Foster tries in vain to halt Arsenal progress

A red-letter day for Arsene Wenger and Theo Walcott, but more Premiership blues for Watford, despite the heroics of Ben Foster, a player whose international ambitions could be fulfilled sooner rather than later.

In a week when the England goalkeeping position came under close scrutiny, Foster pressed his claim with a string of fine saves. They weren't enough to give his side a chance of their first victory in the top-flight, but certainly prevented Arsenal from recording a much bigger victory.

'A future England No 1,' said manager Aidy Boothroyd of the Manchester United loanee, while resisting the invitation at the post-match press conference to talk about his chances in the present tense. The Observer

Walcott at heart of new force

The Arsenal faithful came to the Emirates Stadium to honour the past. They left with a tantalising glimpse of the future.

On the 10th anniversary of manager Arsene Wenger's reign – a milestone marked by a pre-match presentation of a book of supporters' tributes – it was the sight of one name on the Arsenal teamsheet that had the crowd buzzing. Nine months after he moved from Southampton in a £12 million deal, Theo Walcott was finally given his full debut and, until his withdrawal after an hour, the 17-year-old played his part in a one-sided victory against a Watford side whose early-season optimism is quickly draining away. The jury is still out on whether Wenger's latest generation can emulate the great Arsenal teams of the last decade but, after a stuttering start to their campaign, they are beginning to bed down into a formidable outfit. Sunday Telegraph  

Walcott joins in Arsenal's rise

WITH HIS FAITH IN THEO WALCOTT looking increasingly well placed, Arsène Wenger is confident that the belief he has shown in the rest of his squad will also be vindicated. It will take more than a comfortable home victory over winless Watford to convince the sceptics that a young and fragile team are capable of challenging for the championship, but Wenger has no such doubts.

Arsenal have recorded three successive victories in the Barclays Premiership since beating Manchester United last month and will move to within two points of the leaders if they win their game in hand. “I was not concerned by our potential, but I was concerned by the points difference between us and the teams at the top,” Wenger said. “We have reduced that and there is still a job to do in slowly getting back. We try to win everything and the Premiership means a lot. In the first games we showed potential, but it is about three points. Beating United was the turning point because if we lost that game, although not mathematically out (of the title race), the gap would have been too far.”

Walcott's learning curve is nothing to that facing Watford, who created several chances but would have lost more heavily without the saves of Ben Foster, the goalkeeper on loan from Manchester United, whom Adrian Boothroyd tipped to reach the top.

Walcott's learning curve is nothing to that facing Watford, who created several chances but would have lost more heavily without the saves of Ben Foster, the goalkeeper on loan from Manchester United, whom Adrian Boothroyd tipped to reach the top.

“Ben can be the best in the world, he's got everything,” the Watford manager said. “He has got terrific distribution. He's got the character from where he comes from — not so long ago, he was working in a kitchen — so he has got the hunger. He's got a safe pair of hands, a big personality and his frame is fantastic. All he needs is the time.” Sunday Times