Arsenal: Malcom for Theo Walcott the definition of progress

Arsenal are still heavily linked to Brazilian Malcom, but instead of replacing Alexis with the youngster, why not define progress and replace Theo Walcott?

Arsenal are being linked to anyone that plays the same position as Alexis Sanchez. It doesn’t even have to be in a similar way. Anyone that can play in that creative attacking role, or on the wings, or even Karim Benzema, is a potential replacement.

One such link is to 20-year old Brazilian attacker Malcom. Currently tearing up Ligue 1 with 15th place Bordeaux, Malcom is proving day by day that he needs that next step into the spotlight to truly establish himself.

However, a £40m price tag an inexperience are leaving more than a few people hesitant. Is he really what we need to replace Alexis? Do you really go all in on a wildcard and hope that it works out or do you bank on something more sure, like Riyad Mahrez?

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Well, that’s not a simple yes or no answer, so rather then bother to answer it at all (I will in a later article, don’t worry), I will instead reformat the question. What if, instead of using Malcom to replace world class Alexis, we instead use him to replace irrelevant Theo Walcott?

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After seeing Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi dual-pilot the ineptitude float in the Gunners parade, it has become more clear than ever that attacking options are needed. They don’t all have to be world class, but a bit of upside would be nice.

Walcott is the only other option in the current set-up. Which is just downright pathetic. Especially seeing as how Wenger still looks to be so keen on holding onto the guy without being nearly as keen at playing the guy. Perhaps that’s because he has no position and he is ineffective just about always.

Swapping out an aging Walcott roa young, exuberant and brimming with excitement Malcom is the definition of progress. We gain an attacking option for the here and now and a potential Alexis successor for the long haul. We lose more dead weight and a large chunk of wages that can be applied to someone far worthier of the wage package Walcott was boasting.

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Malcom is not a perfect product yet, but in place of Walcott, it’s a no lose. I still support him as a wild card to replace Alexis, but why not give him a battle he can’t lose by letting him replace the Englishman first?