Arsenal: Theo Walcott Return Means Nothing At All

Arsenal will be welcoming back Theo Walcott, but the immediate impact of his return from injury is as minuscule as it comes.

Theo Walcott will be back in Arsenal action to face Burnley, as his injury has finally run its course and there is plenty of reason to be excited about that. His pace and poaching ability make him a useful to to this offense and to any offense.

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Plus, another added option out wide will be nice to balance out the youthfulness of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi.

But in terms of immediate impact and how this will effect the starting XI, nothing changes. Or, should I say, nothing should change.

Certain outlets are saying that this will bump Olivier Giroud to the bench, which I find wholly hilarious. Giroud is Arsenal’s second most dangerous tool right now. He has scored in every single game that he has started. He needs to stay in this starting XI until he sees himself out.

Not to mention the fact that Burnley is a sit-back and absorb type of team. That has Giroud written all over it and we will see the big man continue his score-per-start streak.

What it comes down to is who do you think is more valuable to this offense right now between Iwobi, Giroud and Walcott. You pick two.

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If Walcott was in your two, you are wrong. I am not at all hesitant about this. Iwobi is coming into his element, he is creating more and more problems and he needs continuity at this juncture. I pity the Ox, but it looks like he is back to square one yet again.

Giroud and Iwobi are the two you should have chosen. Walcott has not only been out of the flow of things, but his contributions rely on poaching, which can be accounted for through Giroud and Alexis. It would be foolish and irresponsible to give the role back to someone who has been out for months and was hitting a cold patch anyway.

Walcott would be much better served coming on as a sub. Depending on the situation, of course. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still the most individually inspired of the two and he always will be. Walcott can, however, be an excellent option in open matches where there is a ton of running room.

Which does not describe the upcoming match with Burnley at all.

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Stick to the plan, Wenger. I rarely ever encourage that, but when it comes to keeping Walcott where he belongs, it’s imperative.