Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has spoken to the media and praised Theo Walcott, ahead of his ‘golden years’, as he looks to push the England international towards a new deal.
The 26-year-old has been a bit-part of the squad over the past 18 months, missing ten months through injury and struggling to get back into the first-team.
With Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck competing for first-team spots, options for Walcott seem rare- but Wenger has hinted that he could get his chance through a central position, playing as the striker Walcott craves to become.
“Being 26 to 32 is the best age as a striker and I wouldn’t like to miss that golden age,”
“He can be transformed. He is naturally gifted to play in this position.”
“I work with him in both situations, as a striker and as a wide player but the quality of the runs is so fantastic with the pace he has,”
“When he was younger he was rushing his finishing but he is a good finisher now.”
Whether Walcott gets his chance through the middle before the end of the season remains to be seen but we may find he is utilised as a striker in the final league games- particularly with games against Swansea, Sunderland and West Brom.
That could prove to be crucial in the market this summer as Walcott’s form could result in whether or not we pursue an attacking addition this summer, or stick to building up the back-line.
Walcott has made just three Premier League starts this season, and seven off the bench, whilst he has scored twice.