What Are You Theo Walcott?

Seems a fair question. In as much as what type of player are you, Theo Walcott? Are you a winger, a wide midfielder or a striker? I don't confess to solve one of football's longest mysteries here but I will have a look at his merits and weaknesses for each position.

Since Theo's senior debut a decade - yes, that's right, a decade - ago, we have been asking what is his best position. There are those that say he is a striker, Theo himself being one of these, and now so it seems is Arsene Wenger. Although much of that may be out of necessity rather than a genuine desire to play him there. And then there are those who say he is a winger/wide midfielder. I'm not sure he is either. And here's why...

Sure, Theo is pretty useful in front of goal with a 1 in 4 average over his 200+ appearances for Arsenal, mostly from a wide position. But is he a proper striker? There are obvious comparisons between him and Thierry Henry which I will try to avoid. Sure they have similarities in as much as they both started on the wing and they are both quick but I don't see much else beyond that.

Theo's finishing has improved each year and his recent International against San Marino showed that he can put them away given the opportunity but I still don't think he is a striker. Having said that, I don't think Arsenal's style of play particularly suits the better aspects of his game.

Walcott's greatest strength has always been his pace. So playing for a team that spends most of its time camped in the opponents half hardly plays into the finer aspects of his skill set. If Theo was playing for a club that got behind the ball and hit on the break, we would see him quite literally terrifying defenders. No centre half would dare stray beyond the halfway line with Walcott wandering around. The threat of a big hoof and potential foot race would not be a nice prospect for anyone. But Arsenal don't tend to play that way. Not often anyway. But it could be a useful tactic.

So what about Walcott the wide man? I have never been convinced that he is a particularly good winger either. I think his crossing is dubious at best and not consistent enough. We could mention Aaron Lennon here, but I won't. No, for me Theo Walcott is not really a winger either. Which is probably why we have never really seen the best of him over any extended period of time. Ox is a better winger and Welbeck is a better striker. So when everyone is fit, I think Theo misses out. Harsh perhaps, but a reality I think may continue all the time he is at Arsenal.

Whilst Arsenal's style of play is out of Walcott's control, he must take some responsibility for the position (no pun intended) he finds himself in. Take Alexis Sanchez for example. Our most potent attacking threat. Not quite as fast as Theo but more intelligent in his play. Shorter than Theo but dangerous in the air - I think back to the game against Crystal Palace where he flew in at the back post to head the ball onto Damien Delaney and in. It went down as an own goal but I loved the sight of the little airborne Chilean out jumping someone much taller than he. When was the last time Walcott won a header? Has a ever?

As much as I would hate to see him leave the club, I think Theo Walcott will never find out how good he can be unless he does. Would we really want to face a Theo Walcott playing up front every week for a team that suits his talents? The thought of him in a 50 yard dash against Per Mertesacker is both abhorrent and hilarious at the same time.

So, no answers here. I didn't promise any. But I still like Theo, whatever he is.

by Benjamin Dungate

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