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Why he’s almost important to Arsenal as Robin Van Persie:

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Any article that champions Theo Walcott may seem a little reactionary considering his current form, but even at his worst, I’ve always thought it would be a bad idea to sell the young speedster.

He’s one of the Gunner’s most criticised players. He’s got a rather unfair reputation for having no ‘footballing brain’, for making bad decisions and not utilising his pace effectively. The truth is fans just want to see Theo running at the opposition full-back in the same way Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain does and are frustrated when he tries anything else.

Whilst he doesn’t always make the right decision (show me a professional footballer who always picks the right options) he’s still effective in his own way. For all the complaints he garners from Arsenal fans he always ends a season with a fair amount of goals and assists.

When you combine this with the fact that he’s improving on a season-by-season basis and seems to have more developing to do, it would see foolish to insist on selling him. Yet a couple of months back, many fans were prepared to see him leave the Gunners and carve out a career elsewhere.

But prompted by his two goal salvo against Spurs there has been remarkable about turn in critical opinion when it comes to Theo Walcott. All of a sudden he has found a first touch, can beat his full back with ease and whip in useful crosses (though I’d argue he’s provided great ammunition for Robin Van Persie all season long). What’s more, he looks more composed in front of goal – this, in combination with his pace makes him a valuable asset.

Even at his worst he offers Arsenal an outlet on the wings. He has always struck me as the kind of player who would rip the Gunners apart if he were playing for an opposition team. When he’s on form, he’s unstoppable and though the likes of Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge get plenty of good press I’m not sure either are better than Theo.

Some argue that the emergence of the Ox has reinvigorated Theo. Whatever the truth it’s clear that something’s spurring him on to bigger and better performances. Perhaps he’s playing for a new contract, perhaps he’s playing for a role in Euro 2012, at this stage it doesn’t really matter because Arsenal are reaping the rewards.

But if they want to keep hold of Theo they’ll have to act fast and tie him down with a new contract. He’ll have just a year left on his contract this summer and will likely be the subject of a few bids from other clubs. It would be sensible of the Gunners to grant him a new contract before he can have his head turned.

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  • Teejabaski says:

    A player a regard as usain bolt..the fastest player ever…my mentor….my role model…hez a great player no matter what people say.

  • b johnson says:

    WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH – AND SO IS THEO! HE IS NOT COMPOSED, CANNOT BEAT A DEFENDER ONE-ON-ONE AND I BELIEVE ARSENAL SHOULD SELL HIM. FOR YOUR INFORMATION, RVP HAS MORE ASSIST THAN THEO IN PREMIERSHIP THIS SEASON.

  • b johnson says:

    I ALSO WANTED TO ADD, AS YOU ARTICLE HAS REALLY IRRITATED ME – THEO CANNOT AND NEVER HAS BEATEN ANY DEFENDER WITH EASE. I HAVE SEEN HIM ISOLATED WITH A DEFENDER ON MANT OCCASIONS AND HAVE BEEN SHOUTING FOR HIM TO BEAT THE DEFENDER BUT ALL HE DOES IS LOOK INSIDE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY. THE ONLY TIME HE CAN GO PAST A DEFENDER IS WHEN THE BALL IS PLAYED OVER THE TOP. I ALSO FED UP WITH PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE 2 GOALS SCORED AGAINST SPURS – HE SCORED THE GOALS WHEN WE WERE 3-2 UP AND THERE WAS NO PRESSURE. I WISH YOU PEOPLE WOULD STOP PUTTING THESE STUPID ARTICLES ON THE SITE

  • matthew says:

    b johnson you talk rubbish theo is still young and developing you wait and see in a couple of years he will become one of the best strikers in the prem fact

  • sohara says:

    I agree with the article and not with D Johnson.

    I like others have been frustrated at times with Theo, but I always feel the game is more exciting when he is on the pitch…..and he is developing into the player that we all hoped he would be. I would totally HATE to ever see him playing against us, especially now when he is at last full filling his potential. Theo on one wing AND the Ox on the other wing Bring it ON

  • Wale says:

    @b. Johnson… Can you remember how many assist and number of goals scored by walcot this season. Even RVP himself was always grateful for the loads of assist he got from walcot. This boy is good and we cant afford to loose him. Goals and assists he has about 20. Look at his goal against A.villa, good frst touch and composure to score. He is a talent pls

  • Archimedes says:

    He scores regularly although he is a waster but that is improving. He assists many too and is crucial link up w RvP. He needs to improve his dribbling and should not be allowed himself to be pushed away by defenders. His pace even Barca is afraid of, if he becomes more clinical he will be one of the best in the world in his position. Unlike Ramsey he is improving. RvP and Arsenal need him. He stays but he too is dependent on Fab type accurate passer who really can turn him into the deadly weapon his pace means on breaks and open play. With improving defence, Arsenal can sit back, wait for the interception and make lightning breaks. In high possession games his pace will require greater passing accuracy from provider because of tighter space but a world class playmaker signing will make him look great. If Ramsey given playmaker role his passing accuracy poor so Theo looks useless at least better with Rosicky recently and the improving Song. Theo is a player whose value vary dramatically because of his unique skills. On breaks only Theo gets that expecting murmur from the crowd which then turn into a roar. Dribbling improvement desirable but with further improvement in goal conversion after dash, he’ll be priceless.

  • Scravaldio says:

    I really don’t understand the theo bashing. He is one of the best and most feared RW in the world. Oppostion teams are forced to sit deep simply because of his pace and if you watch the other team carefully you’ll find that unless theo is replaced by the ox then the other teams fullbacks simplly won’t risk pushing up. He is 23 and when on form has proven to be top class. Once he stops thinking too much and relies more on his instincts he will be one of the bestbplayers in the world something RVP says on a regular basis. Nuff said.

  • DB says:

    @b johnson – wow, you really are a muppet! First you feel the need to have evrything in caps, either you are illiterate and have no sense of English or have a small penis and small man syndrome – whichever reason it is very irritating. Walcott is far from perfect, and has been plenty frustrating. To say he has never beaten a defender with ease is simply wrong – as Ashley Cole why his shorts were red stained at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season and he will openly admit that it was because Theo had given him a royal fucking (and had paid a lot of money!!). He has just turned 23, he is a player with bags of potential, and yet you call yourself a fan and choose to slaughter him. I remember similar opinions from Man Utd fans about Ronaldo when he was in his early 20’s – all show and little else; well I think it is fairly safe to say that they should have left their football opinions to Football Manager as well. Do yourself a favour you supposed gooner, go and ‘support’ Barcelona or another team where the sun shines for now, because you have no right to call yourself and Arsenal supporter!!!!

  • meaner says:

    Fear my ass. Unless you are a brainless defender too, a decent defender would be overjoyed having to play against him. He has more bad games than good games, so there is nothing to do with consistancy, he is simply not good enough.

    Barca play all out attack with the FB and he could simply explore into the space, without space he is useless. Ask Milan see if they are afraid of him.

    Ya 23 years and forever improving. Oh yea.. when he is on form.. oh.. he is english too.. so he must be good.

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