Arsene Wenger is convinced teenager Theo Walcott has all the attributes to spearhead Arsenal's attack.

But he will not ask the highly-rated youngster to fill that role against Portsmouth at Emirates Stadium on Sunday - or the near future.

Gunners boss Wenger is likely to restore the front-line partnership of Dutchman Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor for the visit of Pompey despite Eduardo's first Arsenal goal in the 3-0 Champions League qualifier triumph over Sparta Prague on Wednesday and ex-Saints starlet Walcott's brilliant first half display on the right wing in that match.

He said: "The quality Theo has can be decisive. He's very direct and quick and he's improving his link-play and is more aggressive now.

"Once he plays through the middle he can be very dangerous. He has the quality to make good runs behind the defenders. So in the future, certainly, he will be a central striker.

"He can make a difference because in England you have not many strikers with his qualities. He is so quick that defenders feel if they are even one yard behind him they will never catch him back.

"But it's good for him to still learn the job on the flank and improve his short game nearer the touchline."

Wenger was disappointed - but not entirely surprised - that Walcott faded somewhat in the second half against Sparta.

The former Saint is still just 18 but this season looks a stronger player than the one too easily muscled out of contention last term.

He will probably revert to the substitutes' bench against Pompey, with Alex Hleb returning on the right as Wenger looks set to ring the changes having made in six midweek from the team which beat Manchester City last Saturday.