Make or Break Player of the week: Theo Walcott

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Theo Walcott is a name that once meant potential. More precisely, promise. If you’re an Arsenal fan, you either love him or loathe him. He has the ability to frustrate every now and then. Signed way back in 2006, he is one of the senior most players in the current Arsenal squad. He has been in and out of the squad for most of his career. He hails from the famed Southampton academy and is a pacy winger who can surprise us all with his skill and trickery every now and then.

The 2017/18 season will undoubtedly be crucial for Theo Walcott at Arsenal. It will definitely be either make or break for him. Injuries, inconsistency and arrival of new players has pegged him back drastically. He does start every season with a lot of promise of what lies ahead; but much like Arsenal, fades off as the season progresses.

A hefty £140k a week is what he earns at Arsenal; which I’m sure will not be a fair deal for the club if he just sits on the bench. The arrival of Lacazette, who helped himself to a goal in their first game; and the match winning heroics of Giroud does not paint a pretty picture for Theo. He has fallen way behind in the pecking order and might have to wait for his chances, if any.

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He can also be employed as a winger, a position which he would prefer playing in, but there too he faces stiff competition from the likes of Ozil and Sanchez, two definite starters when fit.

With that being said, chances will be few and far between. He can take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding the future of Sanchez at the club, and stake his claim to a starting position.

But one thing’s certain, he has no room for a bad performance. Wenger has another option in Iwobi; and we already know that new boy Lacazette can also play down the wings.

While scoring goals has never been an issue for Theo; he needs a regular run of games and good performances this season. At 28 years of age, he knows he has just a few more years at his peak and will want to take advantage of that.

If he does not get his calling this year, he might look out for other options as Everton seem keen to sign the England international.

He has also stated his desire to contribute more for his country. Gareth Southgate demands regular football from his England squad, so should Theo get better opportunities elsewhere; he needs to take it willingly.

This season, however, can be termed as a deciding factor for his future. Does it lie at Arsenal or at some other club? Only time will tell.