Arsenal: What should we do with Theo Walcott?

 

The mere mention of the name Theo Walcott brings mixed emotions. It has been seven years since a precocious 15-year-old from Southampton arrived at Arsenal and what happened next has been there for everyone to see. Theo Walcott is an enigma to say the least. 

While his contract is up for discussion he has been making some very loud noises. Maybe we all need to have a reality check and ask ourselves does he deserve to play for us?

The easy answer would be yes. No-one has the same pace he possesses. Last season he was our main assist contributor, had his highest goal tally and was one of the main reasons for the revival against Spurs at the Emirates in that 5-2 classic.

Walcott was supposed to have it all - pace, skill, ability and composure. At the age of 17 he went to the World Cup, he was a hat-trick hero when England beat Croatia and even now when rival left backs see him, they think twice before committing a tackle because he is that quick. So the question of whether Walcott should stay or go should never have arrived, right? Wrong.

Theo is exasperating. In those seven years at Arsenal his awareness and ability to think on his feet has simply not improved. He may have moments in a game but that's about it. Where is the consistency? If his game borders on taking risks, then he needs to take calculated risks. He can't be a one trick pony, however good the trick (read pace) it may be.

A defender may be outpaced by him, but they recover and know that most often than not his crosses defy logic. Does he care to look up when he crosses? I seriously have my doubts.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying he is a bad player, but the question is how long do we continue to wait for him to be a finished article? Again having waited for certain other players to become the player they can be (Song, RVP, Cesc, Nasri etc), all it took for those players was to offer a stupid explanation and leave. So we may continue to wait for Theo to take that one final step, but once he does will he stay?

The noises he is making do not seem to indicate so. "I want to play as a central striker", "I was promised that I will be played there", "My instincts are of a striker" blah blah blah. That's all well and good Theo and yes your finishing is definitely good, but again where is the consistency? Last season he had close to seven one-on-ones against the goalkeeper and missed them all.

His crucial finish against Udinese may have helped us win qualification to the main draw of the Champions League, but his misses in the league did cost us games as well. Reasons may have been there and he can very well say that if I am played regularly as a striker, my finishing will be better and I agree, it can be. The whole point though is does he fit in a lone striker role?

Arsenal will play the lone striker and Theo simply can't do that job. He can't hold up play nor can he be the target man upfront holding off defenders. We all know if our midfield gets crowded, those through balls will not be played at his feet for him to score, so the odds are stacked against him playing as a striker. 

Finally even though he denies it, money is apparently a factor too. Demands include a 100k per week deal. My grouse against any player except say a certain Ronaldo or Messi is, how can one demand things when they themselves can't guarantee anything? Even if Theo hasn't asked for that kind of money, the fact is he cannot demand things to the club.

He should take a step back and check what has he done for the club to demand things. How does he feel now when he doesn't get a start? Arsenal are not vindictive but Theo has been shown his place in no uncertain terms. If he feels he can play as a striker, then first things first he needs to play and show us why he needs to be a part of this team.

Honestly, if he is not there Arsenal have backups. Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky and even Ramsey can play right wing. They may not have his pace but they have guile and awareness much better than his.

Theo Walcott and his agent say they have received a lot of offers but he will be welcome to join any club he wants. Yes he might still be young but Arsenal have waited seven years for Theo to prove his potential. Prove your worth Theo and then talk. 

Should Arsenal plead for him to stay? No. Never. It's not a loss and we don't need to plead with any player. When we believed in him at a time when no-one else did, we have a right to tell him to take it or leave.

Theo Walcott can do what a lot of his former friends did, go out for greener pastures, but as they say the grass is not always greener on the other side.

So go on Theo. Do what you wish. We neither bother nor care. If you stay you will need to earn your place the hard way. You see greatness is not about big talk, it's about walking the walk.

Calling all Arsenal fans: What would you do with Theo Walcott? Does he deserve a better contract? How would you feel if he did leave the Emirates this season? Do you think he deserves a starting role in the team? Would you play his as a striker? Would he be missed? Whatever your views, we'd love to hear from you.

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