Arsenal vs West Ham: Theo Walcott’s righteous quest continues

Arsenal are into the serious portion of the Carabao Cup, which means that Theo Walcott is ready to stake his claim at added relevance. Onward, dear Theo.

Arsenal continue their run in the Carabao Cup against a familiar foe – West Ham. Or rather, the David Moyes’ Hammers, because this is not the West Ham that started the season under Slaven Bilic.

What we have here is a club that means business, and while it will still be unlikely that first team stars are deployed, it’s still a match to be taken seriously, as we are through the fodder clubs, unless you’re Manchester United.

Which means that the biggest perk of Arsenal’s depth can finally start to show off. With the mixture of youth and experience leading the charge, the Gunners have a solid shot at making a serious run at the Carabao Cup, because not many clubs can boast the experience that the Gunners have in their rotational squad.

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Not least of all is Theo Walcott. The man who has become my muse, Walcott stepped up in a big way last time out against BATE Borisov (then again, who didn’t) and it was likely because of the swap to a back four, where Walcott could be himself on the wings.

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He managed a goal and an assist and played tremendously throughout (then again, who didn’t). But as my parenthetical asides have hinted at, there wasn’t a lot of criticism to be had for the Gunners. What is to come – West Ham – will provide Walcott something entirely different, and something entirely beneficial, should he accept it.

Seeing as how the first-choice XI has swapped to the back four as well, there is a sudden opportunity for Walcott to take his righteous quest seriously.

I’m not saying that Walcott can waltz into the starting XI, but it’s no secret that the changes taking place at the club are a bit more liberal than usual. Players are coming and going and with the upcoming transfer windows, there will be even more opportunity for the long-time Arsenal man to make a claim, if that is his desire.

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It sounds crazy, but Walcott is only 28 years old. If Mesut Ozil is about to make his great, grand sure at the age of 29, then why can’t Walcott be right behind him with his own? The formation suits him, the only question that remains is if Walcott can defy the doubters like Ozil or if he will feed into them as he has done in the past.