Where does Walcott go from here?

Filed in archive Players on March 7, 2008

Just how much did Sven Goran Eriksson set back Theo Walcott's career by taking him to the 2006 World Cup? It seemed a strange decision at the time and when Walcott, still only eighteen now, didn't get near making an appearance at the tournament it seemed even stranger.

At the age of sixteen Arsene Wenger took a gamble on the undoubted potential of the winger or striker and spent five million pounds, rising to twelve million, to take him to Arsenal from Southampton and make him the most expensive player of his age in the world. At the time, Walcott had made just twenty-one league appearances in the Championship, scoring four goals.

The expectations on a young player costing twelve million pounds and getting a World Cup call up at the age of sixteen are huge. Almost certainly too much for any teenager.

The fact is that Walcott is making good progress. At eighteen he is a useful 'bit part' player for Arsenal and a regular in the England under 21s. If there hadn't been so much hype around him in the first place England fans would be excited by his potential. Instead, there seems to be a sense of disappointment about him.

Everyone has an opinion about Walcott. His club capain William Gallas issued a warning to him this week.

Now former Arsenal player David Bentley has added his opinion that Walcott should move away from the Emirates to get regular first team football. Of course, Bentley did exactly that and his career has prospered at Blackburn and he seems to have an International future ahead of him.

Arsene Wenger has reacted angrily to Bentley's comments, saying, "I don't know why one player should incite another player to leave a club. It is not his job."

Wenger goes on to explain how he sees Walcott's progress and future."When you are in one of the biggest clubs in the world you have to accept competition," he said. "If you accept it, it makes you better, if you move down you are down, not at the top. I believe Theo can establish himself here. He is 18 and at that age to play in one of the biggest clubs in the world in a regular position is very difficult. When he comes on he makes a big impact, he's not there completely yet when he starts a game."

I believe Arsene Wenger is absolutely right. (That's twice I've sided with Wenger recently. What's going on?) Everyone should leave Theo Walcott alone and let him develop at a normal rate. He will get better and better at Arsenal, playing with great players under Wenger. He is still a very exciting prospect and could still be one of England's finest players in the future.