Arsenal overcame West Ham 1-0 on Tuesday night to stay on course for a first League Cup since 1993, but Gunners fans have taken to Twitter to slam the display of out-of-favour forward Theo Walcott.
The two teams met in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup just a week after their Premier League clash ended 0-0, but the Gunners came through this time thanks to a goal from Danny Welbeck on 42 minutes.
The England man latched onto a smart header across goal from Mathieu Debuchy and bundled home to take the Gunners through to the semi-finals.
The win follows Arsenal’s return to form in the Premier League, with Arsene Wenger’s side overcoming Newcastle 1-0 at the weekend to climb into fifth.
A disappointing run of three games without a win before that had threatened to derail their challenge for the top four, but they now lie just a point behind Liverpool.
Attention after the game turned to the performance of winger Walcott, who has found game time hard to come by this season.
Walcott was handed the captain’s armband on the night as Wenger made 11 changes from their win over Newcastle, but disappointed in a rare start this term.
The 28-year-old has not started in the league this campaign, only appearing for three short substitute appearances, with the rest of his 12 games coming in the Europa League and EFL Cup.
The speed machine however failed again to press his claim for a starting place with a poor display against the Hammers, and fans were quick to make their feelings known on Twitter.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
https://twitter.com/_sid0/status/943276582017347584
Theo Walcott should be ashamed to pick up his wages this week. Absolutely zero effort and commitment out there tonight. Captain as well!
— Gary Lawrence (@garythegooner56) December 20, 2017
What annoys me is that Walcott was captain, is the most experienced arsenal player, but gave the ball away the most. Mans lost his place and pace!
— Rafay (@rjadran) December 20, 2017
I’ve defended #Walcott in the past, I think those who defend him do so because he’s a likebale lad and that’s also 1 of the main reasons why Arsenal have kept him around – for marketing & PR to which he’s gold but that header…to think he’s still playing for us after 11 years…
— El Comandante (@ElComandante84) December 20, 2017
Ive just got home from the Emirates.
Over the years I've been to many football matches home, away and abroad and I've never seen a worse footballer than Theo Walcott. How can a professional footballer not have a footballing brain and know the offside rule?!
Time to cash in.— ???Sully??? (@shaunsully85) December 20, 2017
I try to be positive, but good golly. Walcott did not look good today.
— Matt Meyer (@mjm_81) December 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/joshbgordon/status/943260750763749381
Walcott on the other hand. Another ok performance with some promise but a lot of mistakes. How often have we said that throughout his career? Time for him to move on. #afc
— Singapore Gunner (@SingaporeGunner) December 19, 2017
Seeing Walcott live again just confirmed it. He has absolutely lose the plot. Don’t know what happened but he is actually AWFUL. Sooooo bad. Not even fast anymore
— BoyWonder (@_BoyWonderFC) December 19, 2017
that walcott miss tho, please what is the guy still doing at arsenal ?
— Morakinyo Oluwatobiloba (@morakcares) December 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/ademjh/status/943254551909552128
https://twitter.com/GeorgeRiceFBPE/status/943253422328942592
Theo Walcott was skipper tonight and not once did I see him trying to encourage the team.
And his performance… well… he wasn’t exactly leading by example.And Giroud was just a lamp post.
Well done Danny Welbeck ??@Arsenal #AFC #AFCvWHU #LeagueCup #EFL #CarabaoCup #1Nil
— Steve Bull Jnr (@SteveBullJnr) December 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/lacanewsigning9/status/943250939514966016
Theo Walcott was born offside #afc
— Kanö ????? (@Kane2602) December 19, 2017