Everton have confirmed the signature of Arsenal forward Theo Walcott after the forward passed his medical today. According to recent reports in the English press, the Gunners speedster has completed his move to the Toffees in a £20m transfer from Arsenal. The 28-year-old arrived on Merseyside yesterday and was scheduled to attend Everton’s training complex at Finch Farm to undergo a medical and finalise terms with the club. Walcott has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium this season and has only made 16 appearances for the North Londoners in this campaign, although most of them have come from the bench. He has still managed to score 4 goals and make 5 assists this season which shows how productive he can be, even with limited game time.
The transfer ends his 12-year career at Arsenal which has seen him score 108 goals in 397 matches under the guidance of Arsene Wenger. He becomes Sam Allardyce’s second signing of this winter transfer window following Cenk Tosun’s £28m transfer from Besiktas. In a recent interview on Friday ahead of their Premier League match at Wembley Stadium versus Tottenham Hotspur, Allardyce addressed the potential arrival of Walcott and said,
“Theo’s not as risky [as Tosun] because he’s proven. He’s scored 100 goals for Arsenal from wide positions as well as many assists,”
“His pace is one of his key strengths which we lack in this squad. His assists are pretty good as well as his goals.
“We are short of goals so to add power to our goalscoring ability would be very important for me.”
Let’s take a look at how Sam Allardyce might shape up his starting eleven with Walcott featuring in the Toffees squad.
4-2-3-1 Everton Predicted Strongest XI With Theo Walcott In The Team
Defence
Jordan Pickford will line up in goal for Everton and might be shielded by a back four consisting of Mason Holgate and Phil Jagielka in a central defensive partnership while Cuco Martina takes his place at left-back and Jonjoe Kenny plays on the right side of the backline.
Midfield
The duo of Idrissa Gueye and James McCarthy may feature as holding midfielders with the trio of Gylfi Sigurðsson, Wayne Rooney and new signing, Theo Walcott trying to create and score goals in the opposition half.
Walcott will be expected to use his pace and join in on the attack with Tosun in the opposition box. The Englishman has a wealth of experience in the Premier League and has a knack for scoring and creating goals which Allardyce can make use of!
Although, his inclusion in the team might lead to Yannick Bolasie being benched and play a role as an impact substitute.
Attack
The new arrival from Besiktas, Cenk Tosun will lead the lines for the Toffees up top.
