Theo Walcott’s time at Emirates could be ending up in the next few months. The English international has been summoned with a severe warning from Arsene Wenger, perform or perish. The French gaffer has been looking to offload some of the most undeserving players at the Emirates and Walcott could be given the sack.
The winger hasn’t lived up to the expectations and has been below par with his performances. The 28-year-old is in his make or break season and should he fail to fulfil the expectations, he might be sold in the January transfer window.
Southampton are reportedly monitoring the player and are very keen to take him back to the St Marys. The 28-year-old came through the Saints’ academies but went on to join the Gunners in 2006. To be honest he never looked like an Arsenal player except for one or two seasons. There was a large change in his playing style and vision but it wasn’t enough for him to be a permanent member in Arsene Wenger’s starting lineup.
Southampton had a pretty silent transfer window and they do have the financial power to invest in January. What they do need is an attacking player up front and Walcott’s previous experience with the club can surely come in handy.
He is one of the top earners at the club with a wage packet of £110,000-a-week and Wenger would like to free some wages as he is aiming to build a more balanced squad in the winter transfer window. Walcott’s contract is scheduled to expire in 2019 and it would be better for the gaffer to let him leave to avoid another Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil situation.
Both the players are currently locked in contract negotiations and will have the chance to leave the club for free at the end of this season. The 28-year-old is said to have also been monitoring the situation closely as he has had only 46 minutes of Premier League football this season.
However, it seems his days are numbered at North London but he still has the chance to make a turnaround this season. With World Cup looming large, he has to settle in quickly before things get spoiled. It would be pretty hard to book a place on the World Cup squad and Walcott should take this challenge with both hands.
