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Theo Walcott in Charge of his own Destiny at Arsenal
By Josh Sippie
Theo Walcott has a huge year ahead of him. He is 26 years old, he has finally been given the position of his dreams – striker – and the initial reports on his potential to play as a center forward came back incredibly positive.
Walcott has had very good seasons before. He netted 14 goals and 10 assists in the 2012/13 season and got off to a great start in 2013/14, netting 5 goals and 4 assists in 9 appearances before the injury bug struck him down for the remainder of the season (stats via WhoScored.com).
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This year, Walcott returned from injury, scored a few goals, and faded to the background. Arsene Wenger suddenly laid down the law regarding players contributing to the defense and if there is one thing Theo Walcott is known for, it is most certainly not contributing to the defensive side of the ball.
As such, he disappeared, making a few cameo appearances to little benefit.
But then he was surprisingly given the start up front against West Brom. The results were magnificent, as he scored a hat trick with relative ease. He went on to score another in the FA Cup final and tallied still another in the BAT final against Everton.
Theo Walcott is the longest tenured player at Arsenal. He has the respect of the rest of the guys on the team and of Arsene Wenger and he is going to be given chances. He even admitted in an interview that he would be okay playing any forward position.
He also admitted how special this club is. “This squad, for me, is one of the best I’ve been involved in. I want to be part of that. There is something special in this group of players. We have got to keep this group together as well,” he said via the Mirror.
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Along those lines, Theo Walcott has to realize that if he is for whatever reason not clicking in this squad when the season starts up, there are plenty of other people that will be ready, willing and able to give it a go. But given the experience and the talent level, Theo Walcott has to be a first-choice in the grand scheme. As long as he performs, he has a place in this squad as a consistent member.
Reports indicate that details are being ironed out for extending Walcott’s contract. The Guardian reports that he wants over 100,000 pounds a week, a raise from the 90,000 he signed up for just 18 months ago. It is hard to argue for him getting a raise, particularly considering that Olivier Giroud makes over 100,000 so why not Walcott?
The speedy attacker has indicated that he likes the club and wants to stay and that it is just a matter of hammering out the details.
Once that is all done and dusted, Theo Walcott will be on track for continue his Arsenal legacy.
Next: Three things we learned from Arsenal's BAT Victory