Why this Arsenal striker is still capable of brushing off his critics
Whether it be domestically with Arsenal, or on the international scene with Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions, Theo Walcott has seemingly always been a name guaranteed to split public opinion within the English footballing community.
It seems a complete age ago when the former Southampton man struck three goals past Croatia all the way back in 2008 – an achievement that incidentally sees the Gunners no. 14 remain the youngest England player to score a hat-trick at the tender age of 19-years-old. Nowadays though, things just haven’t quite been the same for Arsenal’s once priceless asset.
The England striker is now at the most testing crossroads his career has yet faced with both club and country. Should the 26-year-old be a definite first team starter for Arsene Wenger next season, could he be played as a traditional out-in-out striker rather than a hybrid-type winger, and will Roy Hodgson even see fit to give the quick-footed star a ring next time his England squad selection is due?
Many questions seemingly remain present when it comes to the player in question, yet one thing should nevertheless remain clear – Theo Walcott must not become a forgotten man any time soon, either with his national team, or closer to home at the Emirates.
On his day he is simply too good a player for his respective managers to ignore. Walcott has a turn of pace that is scarcely matched by anyone in the game at the moment, even if the England striker is still yet to put his true talents on full display this season. The highly coveted no. 14 is more often than not able to link up effectively with his teammates at Arsenal, can be a real nuisance for defenders with his determination in the final third, and normally proves a strong force on the counter-attack with his lightening quick pace and keen eye for goal.
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The much talked about 26-year-old can also add that something special to his team when circumstances allow. Although the likes of Harry Kane, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge will likely be filling the striking positions for England in the near future, neither of the aforementioned names share the same set of match-winning abilities that used to be oh so present in the Arsenal man just a few seasons ago.
Yes, 2014/15 has hardly been a vintage year for the former Saints graduate to remember, but as much of that has been down to the player’s lengthy injury spell on the side-lines this season, it would be unfair to cast judgement on Theo Walcott’s overall game based on this campaign alone. Fitness has obviously been a worry, yet things should definitely start looking brighter for the Gunners when their star striker finally gets back in shape.
Having said that tough, there are still those out there who simply fail to rate the Arsenal forward and the potential impact Walcott could have for England in Euro 2016. His critics suggest that the striker often drifts out of important matches and all too often fails to make a meaningful impact for his team. The Gunners man has also been described as a headless chicken at times – as although the player himself certainly seems to know where the goal is – Walcott has on occasion failed to deliver the goods when he has had to think about the play rather than acting on instinct alone.
That suggests that whilst Arsene Wenger has almost always utilized the England forward out on the flanks for his undeniably quick turn of pace and speed across the pitch, Theo Walcott would ultimately serve his manager better by playing as an out-in-out striker. He simply has all the necessary qualities to make it in such a position, and wouldn’t have his weaknesses highlighted so much when placed away from the isolation of the wing.
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As teams in Europe invariably opt against a traditional 4-4-2 formation these days however, perhaps the once un-droppable front-man is rapidly on the verge of fading away with every passing season. Without a strike partner up top for the Arsenal talent to work with, the impact he has on the pitch simply can’t reach its full potential.
It would therefore be a great shame if such an eventuality did in-fact take place – but as Theo Walcott still goes down as one of the most effective and potentially exciting England players currently plying their trade in the Premier League at the moment – his name and future role on the international scene should definitely not be forgotten any time soon.
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