Theo Walcott’s honeymoon period at the Emirates seems to be over. Walcott’s future has long been the subject of discussion as the 28-year-old has been barely used this season, despite having a pretty successful last campaign where he found the net ten times.
One of the longest-serving players for the Gunners, Walcott’s future needs to be resolved and the player himself would definitely want to have a clearer picture rather than peeking from the bench. Arsene Wenger has reportedly made up his mind about the player’s future and is ready to part ways with him.
He has given him a time span till January and if the 28-year-old doesn’t show any improvement, he could be offloaded in the winter transfer window. A number of clubs are preparing for a possible bidding war and Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in the player. Roy Hodgson’s side has been on a bad run of form and desperately need some encouragement to improve their fortunes.
Walcott also needs to sort things out before the World Cup as he is eyeing a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad and to achieve that, he needs to play more regularly which is looking very bleak at this moment.
Walcott has remained one of the most defining characters at the Emirates over the years. Expectations have been at the peak and the English international has somewhat delivered to some extent but he needs to understand the quality of this Arsenal side. The likes of Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are all ahead of him in the pecking order and it would be very ambitious for Wenger to give him a regular chance.
Also, a change in formation has done the damage to the player. Wenger made a swift transition to a more attacking 3-4-2-1 since the latter half of the last season and Walcott somehow doesn’t fit into this system.
Wenger already said in summer he needs to cut short his squad to make room for more players and the Walcott could be the first scapegoat. Palace might have a chance to hijack Walcott, who is eagerly waiting for some first team game time.
Hodgson has enough places in his team to provide the player what he has been craving for a long time. Walcott knows the way things are progressing, it could be his last World Cup in a Three Lions’ shirt so he needs to try his best to keep himself sharp and fit. Is he a real option for Palace?
