Why Arsenal need to keep this star

I don’t think I will be the only Arsenal fan to say this but Theo Walcott needs to stay at Arsenal

He is our best finisher, has unbelievable pace, runs direct at the opposition making them sit back an extra 5-10 yards which creates extra time and space for the likes of Ramsey, Ozil and Carolza to get on the ball and become more influential.

Before Walcott got injured last season, he developed a great partnership with Giroud. His directness and whipped crosses were bread and butter for Giroud but unfortunately it was cut short again due to Walcott’s injury.

His injury was one of the key parts why we didn’t go on and win the premiership last season. We just didn’t have any pace. We became one dimensional and teams started to pressure us further up the pitch, they knew we wouldn’t hurt them due to the lack of pace upfront. If you asked John Terry or Phil Jones who they would prefer to face Giroud or Walcott, we know what they would say.

While he’s got a number of features that adds to Arsenal’s all-round game, there are a number of aspects that the 26 year old needs to improve on. He always wants the ball even though sometimes his head is quicker than his feet but the reality is that his injuries are his biggest problem subsequently, he never gets enough match time to get any decent form. New players coming in like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and co have pushed Theo down the pecking order which has made it especially hard for him to get back into the team.

Over the past few weeks, Walcott’s began to flourish once again in the Arsenal shirt. He’s doing what he does best; running and beating players, creating chances, and changing the tempo of a game.

Walcott came on too late against Chelsea and Swansea to show any real threat however had he started or been given a chance earlier, the results may have been different. In his goal at Old Trafford, even though the shot was going wide before the deflection, Blackett didn’t know weather he was coming or going and he made him look like it was his debut.

A match fit Walcott would have finished a number of his chances against Sunderland at home and he made runs that no other player at the club would do. He also takes chances which is what you need in a player.

Despite it being the final match of the season, Walcott showed just how good he was against the Baggies. He looked sharp and wanted to prove a point and was awarded a well-deserved hat-trick and the man of the match performance giving Wenger more answers than questions.

He won’t start on Saturday but be used as an impact sub which will be probably too late to affect any real change in the match. Walcott is a role model to young people inspiring to be a footballer, unlike some other young players who demand the world at such a young age.

The way Theo plays, you can tell he loves Arsenal.

We love you Theo, you are Arsenal

Does this constitute a great first season?