Many Arsenal fans think that Theo Walcott is a ‘one-trick wonder’ despite his excellent scoring record for the Gunners. Since coming back from a year-long injury Theo has struggled to even get some first team action and faces more competition from within the squad than before, which is also putting his England place at risk.
But now we have the uncertainty of contract talks, which don’t seem to be progressing at all, and most Gooners don’t seem too unhappy about the prospect of him leaving. Liverpool are the team most often quoted as a likely destination for the winger, but perhaps we should consider selling him to a top foreign club, as they seem to have a great opinion of Theo.
England face Italy in a friendly, and their defender Giorgio Chiellini has some great praise for he Arsenal man. He said: : “I am always a fan of Walcott, a quick sprinter and terrifying for defenders. England notice his absence. For the world of football, it is positive that Walcott recuperates totally to his top level.”
Even the great Lionel Messi admitted that Barcelona were scared of Theo a few years ago after Barca played Arsenal in the Champions League. “I can only speak from experience but he was one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against,” said Messi. “Barcelona players are not scared easily but I can tell you that when we played Arsenal last season he truly worried us.”
“When we were playing Arsenal at the Emirates we were so in control of the game at 2-0, with all respect Arsenal were not even in the game,”
“Then Theo came on and changed the game. He pretty much single-handedly salvaged a draw that night.”
Then we have Pep Guardiola, who is now at Bayern Munich but was with Barcelona at the time. He famously said about Walcott: ‘You would need a pistol to stop him.’
This tells me that his reputation beyond these shores is much greater than at home, so perhaps Arsenal could get a much better price for Walcott abroad. And then we wouldn’t have the danger of of him coming back to haunt us in the near future!