Arsenal: Theo Walcott demise bigger than petty grudges

Arsenal used to be all in on Theo Walcott, but he’s since fallen from grace. Wanting him to depart, therefore, is much bigger than any biases or grudges.

I’ll be the first to admit that I can be a bit harsh on Theo Walcott at times. I try to do my best to give him the benefit of the doubt and I do appreciate him as a goal poacher, but I won’t pretend like I still want him here at Arsenal.

Related Story: 5 Things Learned Against Norwich

And there are many, many others of this opinion, and that number is growing by the day. Ian Wright recently spoke out and said that Walcott should leave as well. His words, via Sky Sports:

"I’m not sure where he can go now with Arsenal and he’s only playing in the Carabao Cup and the Europa League. He’ll want to finish on a high in respect of what he’s doing, he’s given Arsenal great service in the time he’s been there and for me he should move on for himself."

Wright is preaching the gospel truth here. Wanting Walcott out of the club does not come down to personal distaste. At the crux of this desire for departure is the understanding, like Wright said, that he can’t do any more for the club.

And, on the flip side, the club can’t do any more for him either.

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

People want to point to Walcott’s goal tallies, particularly last year, and sure, there a ton of merit in those numbers. But there is no one out there saying that Walcott should be in the first team set up. No one saying that he can replace Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil when they leave.

Walcott has had over a decade to sort himself out with Arsenal and it hasn’t worked out. Chances upon chances have been heaped on him and the return is what we see now, a player confined to the Carabao Cup and midweek fixtures and even there he can get flustered.

If that is all Walcott wants for himself, to be in these midweek fixtures, then by all means, he’s a solid resource to have. But the man will be 29 come the 2018 World Cup, making it his best chance to make one last go at the World Cup.

He isn’t going to get there at the rate that he’s going now. He needs something more, and as the Gunners are a club in transition, they need something more too.

Next: Arsenal vs Norwich City Player Ratings

Walcott does need to move on. Grudges and biases aside, he isn’t where he needs to be. There’s no denying that.