The first thing that Arsenal need to do to give Theo Walcott any chance of having the sort of effect for Arsenal and England that Cristiano Ronaldo has for Real Madrid and Portugal, is to keep him at the club. Reading between the lines of what Theo has been saying since helping the Gunners to lift the FA cup trophy though, I expect him to sign a contract extension before too long.
And then the 26-year old is ready to focus fully on his football for club and country. He wants to find the consistency and influence that have been a bit too elusive in his playing career so far, due in part to some very bad luck with injury problems.
Walcott is aware that his career so far has failed to live up to its great early promise and so with the next few years likely to be the prime of his life, the pacy and prolific forward is determined to make the most of them and prove himself to be up there with the likes of Ronaldo, as revealed in a report by The Mirror.
He said, “It’s now or never.
“If I want to be known as one of the great players, I need to perform for England and Arsenal on a consistent basis.
“It’s been a gradual process to get here, but these have to be my years. I’m at the age where I need to push on, without a doubt.
“I’ve got to take my Arsenal form into England matches, which will be a big step for me. My career has all been patches. It hasn’t been at a consistent level. I know that in myself. What makes a great player? Well, positive thinking is always important, and so is actually affecting the game.
“You look at players like Ronaldo. Sometimes he might be completely quiet in a game, but then he will do something that matters and that’s all people will remember. I think big players need to turn it on in big games.
“When I’ve been given the opportunity this season, I’ve managed to prove myself.
“But just doing that on a more consistent basis is the next step. I think that when you’re needed in these big games, you need to stand up for yourself.
“Football is a team game, but sometimes you need an individual to do that extra bit. That’s what turns you into the best player you can be.”
Theo certainly has the attributes, with his pace, movement and finishing, to become a massive weapon in the Arsenal armoury and he certainly seems to do it for club and country over the rest of his career. Can you see Walcott achieving this lofty ambition?