Arsenal: Theo Walcott Better Have Firing Boots On

Arsenal will undoubtedly turn back to Theo Walcott in their starting XI against Stoke City and he absolutely must be ready to fire back.

Arsenal has had some pretty impressive solo performances lately. Alexis Sanchez pulled apart West Ham like soft bread. Lucas Perez cut through Basel like a knife through warm butter. Both nabbed a hat trick and both made a massive stamp on their role.

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Meanwhile, the Ox is having himself a season and he too was outstanding against the Hammers.

If this is a game of internal competition, then it is Theo Walcott’s turn to either play the game or get out.

The speedy winger was keeping pace – at least in terms of goals – with Alexis Sanchez and he still stands in pretty solid company, scoring nine goals and adding two assists on the year.

However, in his last seven performances he has just one goal, while the club as a whole has 16. Meanwhile, as mentioned, all of his direct rivals have been absolutely clicking and making Walcott’s involvement look like a charity for the long time Arsenal man.

That isn’t a good spot to be in. Lucas showed that he can be the poacher that Walcott had been. And the worst part about that (from Walcott’s point of view) is that Lucas looked more convincing and didn’t fluff his lines at any juncture.

He was cool and calm in his finishing, leaving no room for doubt.

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Walcott absolutely has to be ready to return fire with this chance because Wenger is showing more than ever a willingness to pull the trigger on changes. He has shown through Olivier Giroud that being a long-time Gunner favorite doesn’t carry the same weight as it used to.

He has shown through Granit Xhaka that costing a lot of money won’t save you.

The only thing that will prolong your stay in the starting XI is doing your job and, guess what, Walcott has not been lately. His job is goals and while he hit the ground running, he must respond.

Especially when considering how well this offense is clicking lately. There is no reason why Walcott can’t be a productive member of this attack and score some goals when everyone else is. He isn’t getting in the right positions and he isn’t making himself enough of a threat.

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If he continues to slack in those regards, don’t be surprised to see these other two rivals take over the job.