Friday, March 29, 2024

Could Walcott Be The Striker Arsenal Need?

The worst kept secret is that Arsenal are desperately in the hunt for a world-class striker, someone that compliments Giroud, and surpasses him. The most notable names being thrown around are Benzema of Madrid, Balotelli, and even the rumoured unsettled Cavani at PSG. All three are world class and proven goal scorers, and all three would elevate Arsenal to the next level. However, these are all similar players in their style, big, powerful runners with killer finishing to match. And all three would take an impressive effort to lure to the Emirates, even with Arsenal’s new bargaining power. We may have managed to tempt Ozil last season, put we’d still fall short if the likes of City or Chelsea came in. No matter how wealthy Arsenal may or may not be, they still won’t indulge themselves in the free-spending crazy nature of their rivals. It isn’t the Arsenal way, and it certainly isn’t Wenger’s way. Cheaper and riskier options include Madrid again, this time it’s for Morata, an under-21 Spanish international, who was heavily linked in January for a loan move to Arsenal. Inevitably it fell through, but there’s talk of Arsenal reviving there interest this summer. He’s young and raw, but would be a much welcome signing. Outsiders include Bayern’s Mario Mandzukic. Arsenal’s striker problem lies with either a powerful, proven goal scorer, or a younger, pacy forward with potential. And if the latter is what fans are shouting for, why shouldn’t we look closer to home? There’s only one player in the Arsenal squad with the pace and excitement to devastate up front. Theo Walcott.

Some still doubt the quality of Walcott, which I think is absurd considering his contribution and heavy reliance within the Arsenal team in the last few seasons. Simply, without Walcott Arsenal severely struggle in the goals department. If it wasn’t for Ramsey’s incredible season, Arsenal’s year could have been very sour. Last season, following the departure of Van Persie, Walcott carried the team into the top four, racking up 14 goals and 10 assists, his best season. We were finally seeing maturity develop into his game, and he seems to relish taking on responsibility. He asked for a few chances up front last season and he took it in emphatic fashion with a superb hat-trick against Newcastle. He showed us that he as the ability to play up front on his own, and why couldn’t he? He’s the fastest player in the league, and one of the best finishers.

His game has improved a lot in recent seasons. He’s a better player each season. This season was no different, albeit he only played a limited number of games, but his quality shone. He was excellent against City, took the game by the scruff of the neck when Arsenal faced losing against West Ham, and then there’s his final game against Tottenham where he was outstanding. It was the Spurs FA cup game where my doubts of Walcott as striker vanished. Okay, Tottenham weren’t at their best. But a derby is a derby. He ran them ragged, he made intelligent runs, came and collected the ball, held it as any lone striker would, shooting on sight, it was mystery that he didn’t score. If he hadn’t got injured that day, who knows where Arsenal may have ended up. If the last two seasons are to go by, then it also suggests that Wenger is comfortable with entrusting Theo with the striker role, if only briefly; but with a run of games that could change very quickly. We haven’t seen what he’s like upfront with 10+ games so there’s still an element of risk in using him as a first choice striker. But I think he’d be electric. Daniel Sturridge has been lethal for Liverpool, using his pace and running to devastating effect. Walcott can emulate that. He also has the luxury of Ozil playing behind him, something we’ve yet to see really catch fire. If we play Theo upfront next season we could see something special.

Again, before Ramsey started doing his thing, Arsenal’s big game player was undoubtedly Walcott. Seemingly, he scored every time he played Chelsea or Tottenham. He loves derbies. He loves the big games. And he has the head for it now. A few seasons ago, people would’ve cried out that he’d never make it big, never be the player he was expected to be. He’s 25 now. He’s come of age. And he is becoming the player Wenger believes he can be. Perhaps the most important thing for Arsenal in the last year or two, even amidst Wenger’s recent contract extension, was holding on to Walcott. We paid him what he wanted because there was no other real option; he is that important to the team. People criticise when he’s talked about as world-class. I can’t agree with that. He’d walk into any team. And I don’t buy into this, ‘It’s only his pace’ argument. What a load of rubbish. Arsenal are weak without him. He is the firepower. He’s unique. If Arsenal fans can’t see his quality, then they don’t deserve it. Go back to criticising Ozil…

There’s also the possibility of employing Theo in a 442 with Giroud, an exciting prospect. They’d compliment each other perfectly. I’d love it if Arsenal went old school next season. I like how we play with two strikers, we get more players forward, and Giroud is clearly more comfortable and effective with a strike partner. Walcott playing off his little one touch lay offs? That could be fun. If Wenger want’s a pacy forward that can play on his own, or in a pair, then why not look to one of his own? After all, that’s what Theo was signed for. It was Wenger who made him into a winger. And it can be Wenger who makes him into an excellent striker. He has all the right qualities. He’s shown exciting glimpses. Walcott could be the striker Arsenal want and need. All that’s needed is the faith to put him there.

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