Arsenal vs Ludogorets - Wenger: I never considered selling Walcott in the summer

Arsene Wenger never contemplated selling Theo Walcott in the summer despite the England international playing a bit part at Arsenal last season.

Walcott started just 15 league games and scored five goals - he has already matched that goal tally this term following his brace in Saturday's win over Swansea.

The 27-year-old has been in scintillating form and is now one of the first names on Wenger's team-sheet, something that could earn him a rest for Wednesday's Champions League visit of Ludogorets.

It could have been very different for player and club had Walcott been allowed to depart, with West Ham among the clubs who were heavily linked with a move for the former Southampton man.

But Wenger insists he did not think about selling Walcott, who has shone playing on the right wing in recent weeks.

Asked about any interest in the player over the summer, the Frenchman said: "Look, I haven't spoken to anybody because I was not ready to let him go. I always wanted to keep him.

"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."

The Gunners have won their last six games in all competitions and face a Champions League double-header against Ludogorets, knowing two wins over the Bulgarian champions will all but secure safe passage into the knockout stages.

While Walcott could be handed a rest if Wenger decides to shuffle his pack, Francis Coquelin could come back into the side having recovered from the knee injury he suffered in the win over Chelsea last month.

It was originally feared the midfielder could be missing for three months but he made his return as a substitute against Swansea.

"I feel 100 per cent fit. It took me a few weeks to get back to full fitness, but now I feel good," said Coquelin.

"When you make these kinds of tackles, and this happened before against West Brom, you are a bit scared. It was a similar tackle to then.

"The good thing was that I could run back onto the pitch afterwards, even if I couldn't stay on for long. The scan which followed was all positive so that was great news."

Ludogorets captain Svetoslav Dyakov believes the Bulgarian champions have highlighted Arsenal's weak spot - even if he believes the Gunners are one of the best teams in the world.

Dyakov will lead his side out at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night for the first part of their Champions League double-header against an in-form Arsenal.

The Bulgaria international was in the Ludogorets side which lost 2-1 to Liverpool courtesy of a last-gasp Steven Gerrard penalty when they last played in England back in 2014.

And Dyakov reckons they can cause a shock against Arsenal having not been drawn on their weaknesses, even if he feels Arsene Wenger's side are among the world's elite.

"It is a unique stadium and every player dreams to play here," he said on the eve of the contest.

"Arsenal is one of the teams which are playing some of the best football in the world, they can play their style of game against Barcelona or anybody, there is a lot of movement, a lot of passing the ball. It will be a pleasure to play here against them.

"Teams like Arsenal have very few weak spots, our coach has given us the information and I can't disclose it. If we have some luck and play well, we can expect something from the game."

Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal for longer than Ludogorets have existed as a professional football club - with the Frenchman celebrating 20 years at the helm at the start of October.

Ludogorets formed in 2001 and have since climbed to the top of the Bulgarian league with the backing of Sofia-born businessman Kiril Domuschiev.

Current manager Georgi Dermendzhiev has challenged his side to take the game to their Group A opponents and come away with a better result than the 3-1 loss they suffered at home to Paris St Germain last time out.

"We would like not to repeat that game," he said.

"Arsenal is a very good team, I personally respect the manager Arsene Wenger, 20 years his name is connected with Arsenal and he has achieved everything with this team. We are going to come out and play like we have in the other games we have had."