Arsenal: Theo Walcott Certainty Shows Changing Career

Arsene Wenger has stated that Theo Walcott is now certain over his position and that is why he is enjoying success in an Arsenal shirt this season.

The development of players is a tempestuous, turbulent and unpredictable ride. As a man who prioritises the acquiring and developing young players, Arsene Wenger has often dragged Arsenal through the highs of potential success and the lows of desperate disappointments when working with young players.

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It is an admirable quality, one that is worthy of praise and respect. In a world that is becoming increasingly short term, obsessed with instant gratification, rather than being patient and waiting for success, to take the long view is a rare and revered quality.

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One man, though, who has suffered the consequences of the uncertainty of developing young players is Signed as a fresh-faced 16-year-old in January 2006, it was hoped that Walcott would blossom into a starlet of the Arsenal side.

That has not quite been representative of the truth, however, and it is perhaps only this season in which he has shown consistent glimpses of what he is truly capable of doing. When asked about the change in his game this year, Wenger referred to the confidence that the certainty in what position he would play has vastly improved Walcott’s focus, and hence his game:

"“I was always convinced, because of the quality of his runs, that he was a central striker. He for a while was as well but he made up his mind during the summer break and he feels more comfortable on the right. Yes (he told me where he wanted to play). He is fair, he said if you give me the choice I would prefer to play on the right but if you want I will play through the middle. (On the right) is his preferred position, and it is true that it is where he is most efficient”"

It is a fair point of Wenger’s. The doubt over where Walcott was best served cast a shadow over hid younger years in North London and most certainly hampered his development as he looked to establish himself in a given position: either as a goal scoring right winger or a central striker.

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However, as Wenger details, that is no longer the case and, as a result, Theo has become far more focused on the characteristics of his game that he must excel in to perform well out wide. His new-found certainty is changing his career and shaping his prime.