While his time in the Arsenal first team has been severely restricted of late, it would seem that the England international Theo Walcott is still very much a part of Arsene Wenger´s plans for the future. So even though the manager´s claim that the player is still not fully recovered from his long spell on the sidelines, the news that contract talks are now due to begin is a much more emphatic statement of intent.
The Frenchman is well aware of all the recent Arsenal transfer rumours linking Walcott with a possible move this summer, because of the contract situation, and the simple fact that he has not been playing. And all the speculation may have got to Theo too, as he has looked out of sorts for club and country, so the latest contract news reported by Sky Sports is very timely indeed.
With the Gunners about to face an FA cup clash against lower league opposition in Reading, most of us expect Wenger to play a few fringe players at Wembley on Saturday, and that probably means a rare start for Walcott. But it is a game that we really need to win so having Theo feeling wanted and also trying to impress in order to give him a better bargaining stance is just what we need.
And a good game with a goal or two to boot is just what our flying forward needs, so is this another masterstroke from Le Prof?