Arsenal: Theo Walcott Set For Career Year Bar One Thing

Arsene Wenger has stated that Arsenal will enjoy a different Theo Walcott this season. I tend to agree but for one doubt: fitness.

After three games, Arsenal have acquired a win, a loss and a draw and currently sit in eighth place in the Premier League. A season that started badly with a 4-3 loss to Liverpool where the score line flattered the Gunners has gradually improved, culminating in an impressive first 45 minutes against Watford on Saturday.

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The long anticipated return of Mesut Ozil was a key factor in the improvement in performance, as was the deeper lying position of Santi Cazorla, who was able to control the game, rather than play in a far more reduced space higher up the pitch. One player, though, who has flashed, if not consistently shone, through the first few games is right winger turned striker turned right winger Theo Walcott.

The 27-year-old has been a subject of much criticism from the Arsenal faithful throughout his turbulent decade with the club. Continual fitness concerns, as well as a lack of end product have led many to call for his departure this summer. Nonetheless, Arsene Wenger seems to be prepared to stick by the once lauded youngster, and he has been rewarded, at least a little, with such patience so far this season.

Speaking of Walcott’s slight upturn in recent form, as well as commenting on his longer term prospects for the season as a whole, Wenger stated:

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"“I said before the season started that we will get a different Theo Walcott this year. If he can maintain that focus, that desire and that fighting attitude then he will have a great season. I hope he has no setback because he is an intelligent player, he is focused and has a great desire to prove his critics wrong and he’s on a good way.”"

Such comments are intriguing ones to say the least. With the recent addition of Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna and the return of Olivier Giroud still to come, you would be forgiven for doubting whether Theo still has a role in the Arsenal starting XI. Wenger, though, seems to suggest that, as long his form and fitness continue, Walcott will be awarded a long run of games in the first team.

Not just that, however. Wenger expects Walcott to excel in those games, and I fully agree. Throughout his Arsenal career, Walcott has shown, in glimpses, his outstanding potential. His issue has been his fitness. These problems are only compounded when you consider that he is a player who relies on his pace. Consequently, when he returns from injury, in the games that he is still trying to find his sharpness, Theo often performs poorly. The fans jump on his back because of this and his confidence falls.

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It thereby takes him a long time to recover from serious injuries, something that he seems to suffer from every season. If he can stay fit for a decent run of games over the next few weeks, then he has a terrific opportunity to finally perform to his expected level. The key issue, though, is whether he can stay fit, and history would dictate that he will not enjoy such a luxury.