Why Walcott’s future at Arsenal is still as a striker

Following Theo Walcott’s 10-year anniversary at Arsenal, Jonathan Kaney tells us why he has to continue being regarded as a striker.

It’s been a roller-coaster few months for Theo Walcott, who displaced Olivier Giroud and did a fantastic job as a lone striker, before seeing himself locked out of the striking role by the Frenchman’s sublime form during his injury.

His latest injury lay-off came at the worst possible time for him, just as he was impressing up front and had finally been given a chance to lead the line. He was starting to look like the complete striker; holding the ball up well, developing a great relationship with Ozil and Sanchez, and his improved finishing added to his pace and skill, looked to have cemented his spot as first-choice.

His spell out though gave Giroud a chance to redeem himself. Motivated by being benched for club and country, and potentially with his Gunners career in danger, he took the opportunity with both hands and transformed his season to find the form of his career.

As a result of the big Frenchman’s cracking form, Theo hasn’t had a sniff up front since he’s come back from injury and has been forced back to the right to accommodate the injury crisis and allow Giroud to keep his place.

It’s unfortunate for Theo as he’s been underwhelming on the wing since he’s returned and it’s Joel Campbell, who has vastly improved this year, who will most likely keep his place in the side when Sanchez returns.

His ten-year anniversary was largely underwhelming and with his form dipping again, his stay at the club has once again divided opinion between fans as to whether he is one Arsene Wenger’s greatest success stories or a wasted potential who will never be quite good enough.

As so common in football, it’s only those with short memories who are writing off Theo’s striking career. He’s not at his best now and Giroud is playing well, but injuries, suspensions and Cup games will give him an opportunity to get back to where he left off.

All clubs need different options up front and it’s clear without a doubt that Theo still has a future as a striker at the club. The form he showed and the more fluid dimension he brought to the attack before his injury proves he deserves a chance to take his place back.

If Giroud’s form starts to dip and Theo plays like he did before his injury, he can push his way into the side quite easily.

Approaching his 27th birthday, he is entering his peak and he will be a hugely important player for us for the foreseeable future. Competition is healthy for the squad and certainly helped us to where we are now. Arguably, it was when Theo and Giroud were fighting it out for a place in the side that we played some of our best football earlier in the season.

I would argue that unless a superstar becomes available in the mould of a Cavani, Ibrahimovic or Suarez, we definitely see Theo back leading the line sooner rather than later.