10 Theo Walcott Performances That Show Why Arsenal Must Keep Him
Epic performances that should make up Wenger's mind about the forward's future.
Currently the subject of fierce debate over whether he deserves a starting berth in this weekend's cup final team, Theo Walcott has a bigger concern hanging over his head: his long term future at the Emirates Stadium.
After ten years at Arsenal the pacy winger will find himself out of contract next summer and has been linked with a move to Liverpool should the unsettled Raheem Sterling move the other way. Arsene Wenger may want to think twice, however, before he is willing to let Walcott go so easily.
Widely perceived to be a player who has never really lived up to the prodigious promise he showed as a 16 year old, Walcott has struggled to shake off criticism of his game that was more valid years ago than it is now. During his time at Arsenal the former Southampton player has proved himself capable of overcoming issues with consistency, his ability at crossing, and the regularity with which he scores.
A long term injury has perhaps made critics forget the improvements that he made with every season leading up to it. Now that Walcott is finally back to full fitness, it's time for Wenger and co. to recognise some of the important contributions he's made to the club. Just look at these ten games in particular.
10. Arsenal 7-0 Slavia Prague - 23.10.07
While he had already appeared for England ill-advisedly quickly prior to the 2006 World Cup, Walcott really announced himself as a player capable of match winning quality in this record-equaling Champions League tie.
An impressive performance a few days earlier, coming off the bench against Bolton to set up a goal for Tomas Rosicky, saw Walcott rewarded with a place in the starting line-up.
The 18 year old seized the chance of his first Champions League start by becoming the youngest Englishman to score in the competition, capitalising on a goalkeeping error to round the keeper and slot the ball between two defenders.
Ten minutes into the second half he picked up a pass from Alexander Hleb and raced in from the left flank to fire in a goal that drew comparisons with Thierry Henry.
"Theo is calm and clinical in front of goal," Wenger would say after the match as his team picked up a 12th successive win. It was performances like this that made Walcott a first team regular for the first time that season.