Walcott Quitting Arsenal Is Progress

When Robin Van Persie turned his back on everything Arsene Wenger and Arsenal had done for him whilst he spent season after season on the treatment table to head to Manchester United of all places, Theo Walcott, at that time, became Arsenal's most potent attacking player. Van Persie's exit had followed the likes of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in previous seasons and Theo and his agent knew that when the two sides came to talk about a new contract that it was Walcott who had all the bargaining power.

A contract saga ensued, Arsenal and most Arsenal fans worried that yet another star player would be on his way out. Maybe this time without even a transfer fee. Eventually, Walcott put pen to paper on a new deal reportedly worth £100k a week. Relief was felt by the huge majority associated with Arsenal. We'd finally kept hold of one of our star men. 

Fast forward to this season. Theo Walcott is struggling to get into the Arsenal first eleven since returning from a long injury lay off. For a place on either one of Arsenal's flanks he cues up behind the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil. This summer that contract he signed will only have twelve months to run, the contract saga has begun again, and it'll soon be decision time on whether Arsenal sell up or risk letting Theo leave on a free next July. 

I would much prefer it if Theo Walcott stayed at Arsenal, I'd definitely prefer him in our red and white than the red of Liverpool, who he's been strongly linked with that's for sure! His pace is lethal and because of his pace he can on his day be literally unplayable. Even on one of his bad days his pace is a threat that forces opposing sides to defend deep and not send their full backs rampaging down our touchline. That turn of pace will always be a threat regardless of the form Theo Walcott is in.

The bad days. There have been a few. You see, Theo Walcott is not great technically. He's admitted as much himself saying if it wasn't for his pace he'd have never made it as a professional footballer. I think he's going a bit over the top there but I get where he's coming from. Theo Walcott is quite capable of scoring and has scored some brilliant goals but he's also missed more than his fair share of chances. His crossing has always been a well-known flaw of his with his quality of cross consistency being, well, inconsistent. A goal that sums up Theo Walcott in my opinion would be this one at Stamford Bridge. 

Only Theo Walcott could fall over his own feet and still score an amazing goal. 

Whereas last time a contract saga with Walcott took place he was one of the main men and he could use his bargaining power to get the best deal financially, he is now, reportedly, more worried about the amount of opportunities he will get to play in Arsenal's first team. Wenger himself has said, when asked about the subject of Walcott's contract, that he wants him "to stay and fight for his place".

That's what I want Theo to do but sadly Theo will be 27 this time next year. He's yet to feature at a World Cup. In my opinion and given what he has admitted about his own abilities, once that sharp burst of pace has left his legs or he loses that yard then Theo Walcott will rapidly deteriorate as a top level footballer. Does he really want to spend the ages of 27 to 30 fighting for his place? If he does, brilliant, he's more than useful to Arsenal but if he doesn't I'd perfectly understand him leaving.

I remember being at school the day Theo Walcott signed, stood there with Arsene Wenger holding that special redcurrant strip to commemorate our last season at Highbury. It wasn't long before he was unfairly labelled the "next Henry."

He's been at Arsenal for nine and a half years (mental right?), it appears as though that time may be coming to an end. I hope not but if he does leave it's only because he's probably just not good enough for The Arsenal any more.

And that's a good thing.

http://twitter.com/chrispople14 Tell us what you think! If you agree, or have a different view, please leave a comment in the comments section or why not write a response or your own article on YouWrite?

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