All the attention is focused on the Robin Van Persie transfer saga, but there is uncertainty surrounding another Arsenal forward also entering into the final year of his deal at the Emirates. Rumors are swirling regarding Theo Walcott’s future with the Gunners as the enigmatic winger enters the final year of a 70K a week contract on which he will surely be seeking a raise. Juventus, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Walcott’s former club Southampton (yes, seriously! Source: Mirror) are said to be monitoring the situation surrounding Walcott as Arsene Wenger seeks to avoid losing another key cog on the cheap. Walcott seems unconcerned about speculation linking him away, telling the Daily Star Sunday, “The club and my agent are talking but it is a slow process and my last contract took six months to agree – but it will come.”
But Walcott’s transfer drama begs another question…Is he an integral part of the Gunners’ future? Or is he expendable and would that 100K+ a week be better spent elsewhere?
My opinion: re-sign him and re-sign him now! Walcott is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 10 goals (a solid return for any forward) and his passing was markedly improved last campaign, leading to 14 assists in all competitions. Walcott’s stats are not easy to replace and with Van Persie’s 37 goals seemingly headed out the door, keeping Walcott in the fold seems essential.
Walcott’s biggest criticism over the years has been his inconsistent nature, including a tendency to disappear for long periods in the game. This remained a valid criticism at times last season. For the first 45 minutes of the North London derby at the Emirates in February, Walcott was just about the worst player on the pitch and fans were imploring Arsene to haul Theo off at the half. But Wenger stuck with Theo on the night and he was rewarded with a second-half master class that included a brace from the young Englishman. When Walcott does show up he tends to do so in a big way and there are few Premier League defenders who can stop him. Arsene needs to be patient with Walcott’s future just like he was on that rainy day in North London. Walcott’s consistency improved last season, particularly in the latter half of the campaign, and he looked a more confident player overall.
More than stats, Walcott has the ability to change games with his pace and creativity and ambitious squads can’t just let a 23-year-old game-changer walk out the door. Walcott is at his best when running straight at (and often right past) defenders with confidence and a new contract before the season would fill him with belief ahead of what looks to be a tough season opening run of games with new boys Podolski and Giroud not fully fit, RVP likely moved on, and Wilshere still not healthy. Even should the rumored move for Santi Cazorla come to fruition, Walcott should play a key role this season and all signs point to another year better than his last.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Arsenal should pay Walcott? Or offload him now?
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Offload woeful Walcott as soon as possible as he
won,t ever be able to score anywhere enough goals
to warrant his 70-000 pound a week wages ,Alex Song had 10 assists last season but who cares about Theo,s 14 assists,it,s goals the club needs
from him ,which he cannot score on a regular ba
sis ?
We need Walcott today than ever be4 b’se he has improved a big deal & RVP is leaving. Arsenal can’t afford to loose both players at this time.Hope Wenger will renew his contract very soon.
The reason why Walcott shines sometimes and doesn’t is not because he plays better or worse in these games but it’s what the defence does.
The example about the North London derby is a good one in where in the second half, the Tottenham back four started to push up allowing considerable space between them and the goalkeeper. This then allowed Walcott to run behind them and use his pace to it’s max potential.
But until today, Walcott has not been able to do much against deep lying defenders. Statistically he is the one who loses the ball the most in Arsenal. He can’t dribble past too many defenders and he doesn’t cut back working himself into his predictable routine of getting stuck in the corner. On top of that, he doesn’t really look up when he crosses the ball in the box – oftentimes crossing the ball where there are only one or no players in the box.
But should Arsenal re-sign him? Of course. But they shouldn’t give him an automatic start each game. Force him to diversify his game so that he can evolve into a more complete footballer rather than a one trick pony which is what he is now. But 100K/week is a bit steep so if there is no commitment for him to grow and change up his game then I would sell him ASAP.
It’s too late to answer the question in part as AW has made his move for 2 strikers. However, if prior to that I would have said play him as a striker. It’s his desired position and he’s stayed patently on the wing for years waiting for the nod that never arrives from AW. As for the dosh? Pay him the 100K – the figures are offensive to me but that’s the game now. If Podolski can come from a relegated team and be the highest earner at Arsenal instantly then why shouldn’t Theo get in on the feast. He’s been at Arsenal for 7 years after all. And it’s not as though the money Arsenal saved from not paying him more would go to the cleaning women, stewards, reducing seat prices or the local orphanage is it?
Sell him to any idiot that is willing to buy him. He is absolutely crap! Should be running in the Olympics!!!