Theo Walcott is a controversial figure. It would be fair to say that he has few admirers in the Emirates, and even fewer outside of it. But as he begins to reach an age where people will be genuinely expectant of a change in form has Walcott done anything to prove people wrong?
Signed from Southampton in 2006 great things were expected of the lightening quick forward and for many he has failed to live up to the, perhaps unreasonably high, expectations. However, if we try to ignore the negative press that surrounds him, can we see just how far he has come from the unproven seventeen year old who was taken to the World Cup?
Vast improvements since he signed for Arsenal
The Arsenal forward has come a long way since his first goal for Arsenal, a precise finish in the 2007 League Cup final. And, despite what many think, Walcott has made clear improvements since his highly scrutinised arrival at the club. Even though he has not been guaranteed a starting place in the Arsenal fist team and has had a series of serious injuries, just when he appeared to be gaining form, he has come back from all of his set backs stronger and last season his tally of thirteen goals and eight assists in only twenty five starts is something to be praised.
Big game player
Many will disagree with this but hear me out before you criticise. Walcott has a surprising knack of turning up when it really counts. For example his first goal came in the League Cup final in 2007. He has also performed well extremely well in Arsenal’s recent meetings with Barcelona.
In the first leg in 2010 Walcott came on, scored a goal and then provided the cross which lead to Arsenal’s penalty and second goal leading Guardiola to praise Walcott’s “quality” and “pace” (BBC). In the second leg he then provided the assist for Bendtner’s goal. In the first leg in 2011 he also played exceptionally and was a constant threat to the opposition.
When Arsenal hosted Chelsea last season Walcott scored and provided an assist to leave the Gunners 3-1 winners. In last season’s north London derby Walcott opened the scoring at White Hart Lane with an excellent one-on-one finish and he also provided the cross that Van Persie scored from to make it 3-1.
Even though this season has only just begun Walcott has already been proving his pedigree in important matches. As Arsenal prepared for their Champions League qualifier many fans and pundits were dismissing Arsenal’s chances, saying that they would crumble without their departed stars. It was a moment where other squad players would have to step up to the plate. So who was it that scored in both legs to put Arsenal through to the group stages? That’s right, Theo Walcott.
It is not just his goal scoring that has improved either. Walcott’s passing has improved dramatically in big games. Take for example his perfectly timed assist for Van Persie’s opener on a difficult night against the German champions Dortmund.
I like the way you say that Walcott is ‘incapable of playing with flair’ then plead that he ‘shouldn’t be so heavily criticised’. Is that not a criticism? And a pretty unfair one at that.
When he came onto the scene, it couldn’t have been much more sensational then to be picked for the England World Cup team and unfairly high expectations was demanded from him. As a young player, I believe it has not been easy for Walcott to handle the pressure. You are right to point out that he is only 22. As he matures as a player,he will be able to handle such pressures much better. I believe he will grow from strength to strength. Arsene has always been wary of subjecting his young players to too much pressure and that probably explains why he has been slow to introduce Alex Chamberlain to the first team despite much clamour from fans to do so.
I’ve got nothing against Walcott, I just don’t think he is quite that good yet. I have more of an issue with Wenger playing him, he should be sent on loan.