It was strange to see how little use the Arsenal manager made of the England international Theo Walcott last season. The flying front man was supposedly fit again after his long spell on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury some time around the turn of the year.
Arsene Wenger did play him a couple of times back then and Walcott answered with good performances and goals, which made it seem all the stranger that he sat out most of the rest of the season on the bench. But judging by the way the striker finished off the campaign, scoring a brilliant hat-trick in the final league game before starting in the FA cup final and scoring the opener, it is hard to criticise the Frenchman’s decision.
It was clear that Walcott was desperate to play more and perhaps this was part of the manager’s plan, or perhaps he was treating him with kid gloves on the advice of the new fitness and medical experts at the club. Whatever the case, we now have a fully fit and in form striker ready to go at the start of next season and I think he could be the difference for us.
With Ozil supposedly set to hold down the number 10 role, his vision and technical skill combined with Walcott’s movement and pace could form the duo into a devastating weapon. I cannot wait to see those two playing together regularly.
Plus, Walcott proved that he can compete with Giroud for the centre forward role and that gives Wenger great options, as well as cover and competition up front. So has Le Prof played this one perfectly? And is Walcott set to be our secret weapon on the road to success?