Alexis’ Arsenal Return Is Actually A Blessing For Theo Walcott

This Sunday Arsenal get set to welcome back Alexis Sanchez. Although the Chilean’s return may push Theo Walcott to the bench, its actually a blessing for the Englishman.

This past Wednesday marked a milestone for one particularly bewildering Arsenal player. Theo Walcott made it ten years as a member of the Gunner’s first team, and while it has been a bumpy road full of obstacles, a decade with a club as big as Arsenal is certainly an achievement.

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Theo Walcott embodies some of the many frustrations that Arsenal supporters go through on a seemingly daily basis. The Englishman has been an exciting attacking talent since he signed with the club from Southampton as a teenager. However despite his great promise, many questions still remain over his overall quality.

Walcott seems to inspire a luke warm response from many supporters. He doesn’t inspire the same starry eyed admiration that Alexis garners, or the blank stare of awe which Ozil can conjure in a moment’s notice. Yet Walcott seems to come up big in important situations, and there is something so viscerally pleasing about his strikes that few players can replicate.

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When I look at Arsenal’s No. 14, I see a player who’s positives certainly outweigh his negatives, however due to injuries and squad fluctuations, Walcott simply has not had the environment in which to prosper fully. Remember, in 2012-13 Walcott tallied 14 goals and 10 assists for the Gunners in what was his most productive season yet. That player still exists and I believe that once the squad becomes settled once more, Walcott will find his footing.

Alexis Sanchez is set to make his massive come back this weekend against bitter rivals Chelsea. Which is a huge boost for an Arsenal team that has been treading water, dare I say. Make no mistake the North Londoners have been performing admirably, if not fluidly and much of that comes down to an injury ravaged squad.

Alexis is just one of the Arsenal wounded who should be on his way back soon, with playmaker Mesut Ozil also on his way back from a brief hiatus, and the trio of Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck all set to make their season debut in the coming weeks. Also Francis Coquelin is supposedly far ahead of schedule which is very encouraging, simply for the fact that I want to believe our toughest player is also our fastest healer.

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This is starting to look like the squad that can give Theo Walcott the atmosphere he needs.

Theo is a bizarre case, this we know. At this point in his Arsenal career he has to play as a center forward, he just is not equipped to play on the wings and this is obvious. On the left hand side he is not able to make his darting runs from wide positions to split the center half and full back. On the right while he does have the ability to receive the ball on his favored foot, he simply does not track back enough to play on the same flank as Hector Bellerin, Arsenal’s more offensive full back. Therefore he must play though the middle.

Let’s not forget that when called upon, Walcott played very well at times as a lone striker. He scored the opening goal against Leicester with a very tidy finish, similarly hit the back of the net against Stoke, notched a goal and an assist in the oft forgotten defeat to Olympiakos and played his best game of the season against Manchester United all from the center forward position. If it were not for another injury there is no telling if Olivier Giroud would have ever gotten his job back.

Of course, in hindsight it’s fantastic that Giroud returned to the starting XI because he has been in blistering form, but Walcott’s early season highlights should not go unnoticed either.

Arsenal had a fresh new attacking shape that proved the Gunners had multiple styles that they could employ against differing opposition. In my opinion Arsenal’s best game of the season was still the 3-0 demolition of United, a game in which Walcott was at his absolute best. Speed is something the Gunners can play with now and that certainly suits Theo just fine.

Now that Alexis is back, the left wing position will once again be filled. Perhaps the Chilean will not start Sunday, and may not see action unless he is needed, but it is inevitable that he will return to his customary position to the left of Mesut Ozil.

Olivier Giroud needs a rest sooner than later. The Frenchman has been fantastic but we all know what happens when Arsenal rely to heavily on the suave striker. Walcott will get his chances. He will see his number called, but not on the wing. Now he will return to the middle and with Danny Welbeck on his way back and Giroud banging in goals, Walcott will have to fight to stay in the rotation.

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That’s what we need: a hungry and most of all healthy Theo Walcott for this big push to a title.