3 Out Of 10 For Walcott (Video)

Theo Walcott is certainly doing all the right things to continue playing up front but if Arsenal aren’t careful Walcott could be somebody else’s striker next season.

I’ve often criticised Walcott’s performances and style of play, labelling him as “just an athlete” but in recent weeks he has been playing in the central role he had been crying out for and the England international is flourishing.

Fresh from a hat-trick in a 7-3 victory of Newcastle United, Walcott was praised as “great” by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Walcott capped a superb all round performance with two assists for substitute Olivier Giroud in addition to 3 goals, one of which was an audacious chip over the goalkeeper.

There is absolutely no doubting Theo has the electrifying pace to fly down the wing or through the middle to scare any defender but after showing he can find the killer pass or back of the net there is often, frustratingly for Arsenal fans, not always the end product Walcott has shown he is capable of.

There’s another contract dispute at Arsenal and Wenger has bowed to Walcott’s plea to prove himself as a striker but now he must agree financial terms to keep a key component of a young squad or risk losing Walcott for free in the summer.

Sam Jewell

Follow @sw_jewell

Comments

[Jo]

Makes me sick tomy stumac to see thelot off jou commentin all you see about Walcott. None off you understand what Walcott is waiting for????

The little bas**** is waiting for the summer. Then he has ALL the cards- My tips is he can get 250k a week because there is no transferfe….

End off discausion!

Have a nice summer fellow gooooners

[GoonerPunter]

Ok… lets be frank. Walcott didn’t sign the contract in pre season. We all know this. because of that Wenger dropped him to the bench for the first 7 or 8 games. (Was he really injured? you be the judge of that one). Then because of other players injury Walcott started the next match and ran into form.

Yes we all want Walcott to stay and improve in the manor he has been showing but take the emotion out of the situation for a moment. Picture this. You have disagreement with your boss over a contract and he shows his disgust of that by dropping you which sends out a message… ‘If you don’t sign Theo and we won’t play you which is holding the player to ransom and shows immaturity by Mr Wenger.

Whether or not Theo is playing out-of-his-skin to prove a point, attract other clubs or just for himself, the fact remains Wenger has had to eat humble pie and give into demands of the wanna be striker who’s recent performances have to date strengthened Walcott’s claim to play as a central striker. Yes he needs to do it against stronger opposition. No disrespect to Newcastle but they didn’t field a full strength side and you can only beat what’s in front of you.

If I were Walcott I wouldn’t rush to sign anything after the way the manager has treated him. The only way Walcott will sign is if the damage that was done at the start of the season can be repaired and trust between manager and player is regained. Yes money plays a part but ‘belief’ in your boss goes a long way too!