Would we have maintained our title charge and possibly won the Premier League last season had Theo Walcott not been injured way back in January? Probably not. However, I’d argue that with the England international available for selection, we would’ve managed to have the cutting edge to bag all three points against Southampton, avoided dropping points against Swansea City and even possibly taken all three when Man City left the Emirates with a point on 29th March. And there’s no doubt in my mind that our FA Cup semi-final and final ordeals would’ve been, well, a lot less than an ordeal. 

My point is, there are various occasions over the last (almost) twelve months where I’ve – and I’m sure so many of us Gooners have – wished that the former Southampton forward was in the starting XI terrorising defenders, pushing the opposition’s back-line deeper and bagging several important goals.

Theo is expected back (again) from injury for the Boxing Day clash with Queens Park Rangers and, once back to full match fitness, Wenger will have a tough call to make regarding Walcott’s inclusion in the starting XI. 

Many of us Arsenal fans firmly believe that Theo should be a starter but who is the fall guy then? Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck seem to be forming a wonderful understanding and the blend of pace, power and strength seems to be spot on.

Alexis Sanchez is the talisman of our side and there will never be a time we debate the merits of the Chilean’s inclusion in the starting XI. Olivier Giroud is the only forward capable of leading the line and providing that much needed focal point; he allows as different outlet, a ‘plan b’.

That leaves Danny Welbeck, probably a poor man’s version of a combined Giroud and Sanchez, is that enough to keep Theo Walcott out of the side? I’m not so sure.

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