The 19-year-old chalked up his first full international goals in some style as England put themselves on the road to South Africa 2010 with a convincing 4-1 win in Croatia on Wednesday night.

While Wenger believes Walcott - who arrived at Arsenal in a high-profile, big money move in January 2006 - has not yet reached his peak, the Arsenal manager warned against too much of the inevitable comparisons now being drawn with former captain Henry.

"The potential is there - but do not make him Thierry Henry before he is Thierry Henry," said Wenger.

"One game is one game, a career is something different, it is consistency.

"I am convinced it is in him, but let it get out and give him time."

Arsenal travel to Ewood Park for the first of three tough away games, which include a trip to Ukraine for a Champions League opener against Dynamo Kiev next Wednesday.

Wenger is likely to give some of his returning internationals a breather and attempt to freshen things up in Lancashire.

He said: "I will have to rotate the squad now in the next three games because you cannot expect the players who have played in their national teams can play three times in a week.

"We have a very compact squad and people are interchangeable."

Midfielder Samir Nasri - who has netted twice goals in four appearances - may need treatment on a knee problem which forced him out of the France squad ahead of Wednesday night's game against Serbia in Paris.

"At the moment I do not know about everybody because some players finished their game at 4am (on Thursday morning), for example Carlos Vela in Mexico," said Wenger.

"I count him out completely, but overall it looks good.

"The only injury news that we have is Nasri, who could not play for France. We have to assess him later."

It had been hoped former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre would be in contention for a belated debut after a thigh problem.

However, the 31-year-old may have to wait a little longer.

"We had a minor setback with him," Wenger revealed. "But if he is not available for Saturday he will be OK for Wednesday certainly."

Despite Wenger not adding any more players before the transfer window closed, the Arsenal manager maintains his squad are in good shape for the challenges ahead.

"The problem I have at the moment is to convince people that the players I have will develop and that every day we are a stronger team," he said.