The Arsenal and England international star Theo Walcott has been like a breath of fresh air for the Gunners this season, so with the injury picked up by Lucas Perez in the EFL cup win over Reading in midweek the last thing Arsene Wenger wanted was to lose Walcott as well.
The manager revealed in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League clash with Sunderland, however, that this might be the scenario, as the flying forward has got a problem with his hamstring. Wenger said that he was not sure of Theo could play and that he would have a test, but I really do not think he should be thinking about playing him at the Stadium of Light.
Yes, Theo has been a big player for us with his movement and pace as well as the goals, of course, but to risk losing him for a longer period to give us a batter chance in a match we should breeze through just seems daft. It is not as if the boss does not have good options either.
Even if he does not want to start with Giroud but stick with the system of Alexis Sanchez in the middle which has been working well for us, he can do so and just replace Walcott with Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Ox has been asking for more game time and is coming off the back of a brace and a Man of the Match award on Tuesday so I would have no problem starting him against the Black Cats.
With Ozil and Alexis in form there is plenty of goal threat so do you agree that Wenger should just give Theo the day off?
Bob.