Arsene Wenger has hailed Theo Walcott's impact at Arsenal this season, saying he believes the forward is a "completely different player".
Walcott has impressed ever since he missed out on Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2016, scoring five goals in the Premier League this term to help send the Gunners into second place in the standings.
Wenger insists the 27-year-old's injury woes over the past few years never caused him to think about selling Walcott but he did admit that the way the forward has let go of any reservations on the pitch to play with more freedom has been impressive.
"Look, I haven't spoken to anybody because I was not ready to let him go. I always wanted to keep him," Wenger said about Walcott, who scored twice in the 3-2 win over Swansea on Saturday.
"What I've seen of him is that he lets the passion for the game come out of his body. That's what you want from him.
"I've felt that since he's played with more freedom, maybe he lets his feelings come out a bit more and is less calculating: 'Can I do that or can I not do that?'
"He plays with more freedom and more desire. I think he has a less restricted attitude and that shows you that he is a completely different player."
