Theo Henry?

If you had to pick a flaw in Arsene Wenger’s attribute profile it would have to be his stubbornness when things are going wrong.  In recent years Arsene has become more and more stubborn when things aren’t quite going Arsenal’s way, however, more often than not he does prove people wrong. But pushing ten years without a title and 2012/2013 looks like it could be a similar story unless they can turn their cup runs into some god fortune, pretty much says it all. No more are the likes of Thierry Henry, Denis Bergkamp and Robin Van persie up top to bag the Gunners goals and this year they look more lackluster than ever up top. The answer?

Theo Walcott. Theo was purchased by Arsenal for a total of around £12 million pounds in the 05/06 season when he was merely 16 years of age and the start of his career with the Gunners was spent predominantly as a winger. But when given the opportunity, Theo has always proved that he is more than a capable finisher. With Mr Wenger himself comparing him to the likes of Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry. Pep Guardiola even said with pace like Walcott’s you would need a pistol to stop him. Even Arsenal fans alike will tell you, with green grass in front of him Walcott is deadly, but he has always lacked the creativity and quality in the final third as a winger. His crossing has always been very average and his passing not the best. When considering all these factors, why is Theo not a striker? And why is Theo not getting the opportunity to become yet another Arsenal striking Legend like Henry, Bergkamp and Van Persie? Especially with the likes of Olivier Giroud and Marouane Chamakh      (who have 0 league goals between them) keeping him off the striking team sheet.

Walcott’s finishing has always been good and he has not only proved it at club level but also international level. Scoring a total of 12 goals combined for England’s under 17’s, 19’s and 21’s. And who could forget his Hat-Trick for the full England squad against Croatia which made everybody believe Theo was the future of English goals and Arsenal goals. Theo has recently said to the press his future at Arsenal depends on whether Wenger and the club will sign him as a striker and no longer as a winger where he has been forced to learn his craft.  Wenger has previously said Theo will move to a striking position when he is ready, just as he did with Thierry Henry when he signed from Juventus. But after 7 years, Theo’s best start to a premier league season (7 goals and 4 assists in 11 games in all competitions)  and the lack of goals the gunners are experiencing (Gervinho – 7 in 42, Giroud 0 in 6, Podolski 3 in 6) isn’t it time He got his chance Mr. Wenger?

Jack Turner