Arsenal: It’s never safe to get excited about Theo Walcott

Arsenal’s front three seemed flustered against Red Star Belgrade, but for the most part, Theo Walcott lively. Then again, is it ever excited to get excited?

There are certain things that I’ve learned to always avoid as an Arsenal supporter. I avoid believing that Arsene Wenger will enact serious changes. I avoid getting engrossed in any tantalizing transfer rumor. I avoid putting my hopes in Jack Wilshere staying healthy.

Related Story: 5 Things Learned Against Red Star Belgrade

It’s all about self-preservation. You can’t keep hoping for things that have proven unlikely. You might as well hope that drinking a fifth of vodka the night before won’t leave you feeling like you were trampled by wild horses the next morning. Possible? Sure why not. But why hope for it?

Most importantly though, I avoid getting excited about Theo Walcott.

The speedy Englishman has become the bane of my existence. Just when I think he’s turned over a new leaf, he does something that makes me feel stupid for that belief.

When I believe that he could never get any worse, he does. When I think he is useless, he puts in a brilliant performance. When I think he has finally returned to form, he shits his pants on the pitch.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

It’s a vicious cycle that, as mentioned, has me frequently eating my own foot. I ran out of feet two mistakes ago.

Against Red Star Belgrade, for as flustered as the attack looked, I (believe it or not) found very little flaw in Theo Walcott. Most of the staleness stemmed from Olivier Giroud not having the right sort of service and therefore being rendered obsolete.

Walcott’s big attempt on goal took a masterful big-toe save to keep out, I can’t fault him for that. He was tied for the team lead in dribbles completed and stood alone with the most chances created. He was a very successful attacker on the day and he played a crucial role in “the goal.”

Not just that, but he was not flagged offside. At all. Not once. Nada.

I would love, love, love nothing more than to see Walcott turn into this consistently, replace Alexis Sanchez, live up to his long-awaited expectations and put his demons behind him. Who wouldn’t? The longest tenured Arsenal man replacing a whiny superstar? Sign me up.

Next: Arsenal vs Red Star Belgrade Player Ratings

But I know better. I know that as soon as you invest your hopes in Theo Walcott, you are priming yourself for a let down. As such, for as happy as I am about seeing Walcott look so effective out there, I will not, nay, I cannot, push myself to get hopeful.