10 Theo Walcott Performances That Show Why Arsenal Must Keep Him

Walcott perhaps shares a common criticism with his club: that they don't always perform against top level opposition. This clash with defending champions Chelsea shows that this doesn't always have to be the case.

Arsenal were coming off the back of a disappointing defeat to Man United, a game in which Walcott had been given just a 15 minute cameo. He was brought into the starting line up against Chelsea, though, and his pace caused problems with the Blues' defence throughout.

Arsenal relied on Walcott's speed to counter-attack and in the second half this was what took advantage of Chelsea's defensive lapses. Walcott intercepted a bad backpass from Michael Essien to set up a goal for Fabregas. Minutes later, he dispossessed Malouda, exchanged a one-two with the Spaniard and slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.

Having started just eight games in the first half of the season, Walcott had already scored nine goals. The match established Arsenal as genuine title contenders, a position they threw away with a dreadful final couple of months of the season.