How Walcott has gone from write-off to Arsenal & England regular again
The forward’s change in attitude and improved work rate are two reasons why he has managed to work his way back into the plans of his club and country this season
It was September 2012 and Arsenal fans had released a video encouraging Theo Walcott to ‘Sign Da Ting’. It took him several months to make his decision after long-winded negotiations which left many wondering whether Walcott would commit to the club.
He did finally put pen to paper on the dotted line four months later and it could be argued now that his Arsenal career was summed up in those weeks of talks over an increased pay packet – a player who was regarded as the next big thing in English football at the age of 16.
Walcott has impressed, frustrated and irritated many over the years for his inconsistent performances and unfulfilled potential. Injuries haven’t helped his cause and competition for places is never easy at a top European side, but it has sometimes been a case of him not looking good enough wherever he has played. Until now.
Walcott’s last injury-free campaign was in 2012-13 – a season where he scored 21 goals and notched 14 assists. You could be forgiven for overlooking that time due to the emergence of Robin van Persie alongside him, but it must be noticed that the forward’s influence on his Dutch partner was pivotal to the Gunners’ title challenge before it eventually faded away and subsequently saw their talisman leave north London for Manchester United.
Things look different this season because of Walcott’s change in attitude. He has told Arsene Wenger that he believes his best position lies on the right hand side. He hired a personal trainer over the summer to maintain his fitness and improve his overall performance while many of his colleagues were either on holiday or competing at Euro 2016.
There is no doubt that Walcott has benefitted from a full pre-season. “He has matured, when a player survives this type of disappointment from what was promised for him at 16, the way he dealt with the situation, I always felt there was something special in this guy”, said Wenger when asked about Walcott’s switch in attitude. Being selected in the England squad for his first World Cup at such a young age and failing to play a game was also a crushing blow for a player clearly reliant on confidence.
It’s a trait which many strikers rely on and need to possess if they want to fire on all cylinders, and one that Walcott has struggled with over the years in similar ways to his compatriot Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Walcott’s work rate has also increased, his positioning has improved and he is finally tracking back on a regular basis. Manchester City starlet Raheem Sterling said in a recent interview that Pep Guardiola told him ‘would you rather run five yards forwards or 50 yards back?’ in reference to the youngster’s previous reluctance to do the dirty work.
The answer is clear for all to see and Walcott’s increased pressing and defensive side has clearly helped Hector Bellerin improve at right-back.
Now 27 years old, Walcott believes he can become one of Europe’s best forwards and has regular meetings with Arsenal’s in-house psychologist David Priestley ahead of games to help him channel his focus. The former Southampton youth product is clearly an intelligent guy who knew his career could easily pass him by if he continued to behave and train in the same way as before.
Walcott has finally identified what he needs to do as professional footballer to enhance his chances of becoming one of the best. There’s still plenty of time for him to show people what he can do and the England man will be hoping that alongside Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez he will continue to flourish in attack for Arsenal as they attempt to challenge for major honours this season.
