At 27, a decade after signing for Arsenal, Theo Walcott finds himself at the crossroads of his career. With the Gunners set to sign Jamie Vardy, 29, the England international finds his way into the first teams of club and country further blocked at a time when he needs to be playing.
Missing out on Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad will have hit the winger hard as another international tournament passes him by. Since his inclusion in Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Walcott has not featured in any England squad for the finals of a major tournament since.
Salvation may be at hand though. David Sullivan, West Ham’s co-owner, derided Arsenal’s bid for the Leicester striker as “potty”, but is willing to spend more on bringing Walcott to The Hammers new home at The Olympic Stadium.
Slaven Bilic surprised everyone last season by dragging West Ham into contention for the European places before the bubbles burst and they finished seventh. Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph, however, meant the season was successful as they qualified for the Europa League through the back door.
The West Ham manager is a keen admirer of Walcott, having witnessed the England striker’s finest international moment first hand when he grabbed a hat-trick in Zagreb during the 4 – 1 win over Croatia.
If Walcott is to finally deliver the promise of his teenage years, leaving Arsenal might be the best solution. Injuries have ravaged his progress but it seemed he was finally showing his true potential in 2012/13 when he passed twenty goals in a season for the only time in his career.
Just as he was in the best form of his life, injury struck once more as he left the field on a stretcher during Arsenal’s 2–0 FA Cup win over Tottenham in January 2014. After almost a year out, he returned in time to play a starring role in the 2015 FA Cup final but since then injuries and loss of form have stalled his career.
Assured of a place in the Arsenal squad if he accepts the wide attacking role, Walcott has made no secret of his desire to play as a central striker. A move to the East End may be the only way to realise that ambition.
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