Almost a decade after his move to the Emirates, Theo Walcott is finally looking like a player Arsene Wenger was hoping to get when he took him from the Southampton academy at an early age. Now 27, Walcott has become a senior player in the side and is finally showing what he is capable of delivering. His brace gave Arsenal a comfortable victory over Swiss opponents Basel in the 2nd game of the group stage of the Champions League recently and it is fair to say that he is asserting his authority in the side, and is justifying Arsene Wenger’s persistence over the years.
Statistically, Walcott has done better in almost every possible aspect of his game compared to a similar time last season. He has 5 goals to his name already this season and has averaged a passing rate of 80%. He has also had almost thrice the number of touches of the ball from last season and is showing that he is growing into the player that he has once promised.
A natural winger by trait, Walcott was asked to play as a striker or a false-9 even in tough games for the side last season. Though adding to Arsenal’s attacking play, Walcott was not able to improve on his goal scoring rate and his season remained below par once again. His style of play allowed Arsenal to dominate the final third but his returns were just unacceptable for a player leading the attack of a Champions League side.
However, this season Arsene Wenger has found another false-9 to his system in Alexis Sanchez and has used Walcott as a pure winger on the flank. In this role, Walcott has shown some serious form, adding another dimension to Arsenal’s game. He has managed to link well with the Chilean and has shown some good awareness, pouncing on empty spaces Sanchez leaves for him through the middle. In another stat that shows that he is also shouldering responsibility, Walcott has already made 12 successful tackles this season, 1 more than he has managed in the entire campaign last time around.
This season, the speed merchant has shown a will to succeed that has not just helped him improve but has also put his team in a strong position early this season. Though they made a slow start, the Gunners have been extraordinary this season and the English winger has had a role in the turn of fortunes for his side. At 27, he is just reaching the best years of his career, and having made an electric start, Walcott might just hit his peak this season and help Arsenal to the top of the table.
Do you think Walcott is finally becoming the player he promised to be?
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