10 Theo Walcott Performances That Show Why Arsenal Must Keep Him

Walcott marked his obvious growth as a player and a forward at the start of the 2012-13 season with goals in 6-1 wins over Southampton and Coventry. He really needed to show spirit and strength of character, though, in spearheading a League Cup comeback against Reading.

Arsenal looked like they were going to go in at half time 4-0 down with the game virtually lost, when Walcott raced clear, latched onto an Arshavin pass and tucked the ball home in stoppage time. It was still 4-1, but it gave Arsenal hope.

Walcott came close twice in the second half before Giroud and Koscielny pulled two goals back. Arsenal were still 4-3 down on 90 minutes, though, until Walcott latched onto a loose long ball and scored his second stoppage time goal of the game.

With the score going up to 5-5 in extra time, it still needed Walcott to score in the last minute for the third time that evening, tapping the ball home after 120 minutes.

"Walcott was incredible," former Gunners striker Niall Quinn would say after the game, "It was the most extraordinary game that I've seen."