Ten years and two months into what was meant to be a glittering Arsenal career, former boy-wonder Theo Walcott has just two FA Cup medals and one from the 2015 Community Shield on his list of club honours.
In a team of underachievers, Walcott, 27, is perhaps the most frustrating.
Injury problems have played their part, but the pacy forward/winger – he still hasn’t worked out what he is yet – can not blame his stunted growth on fitness issues alone.
Perhaps Walcott needs a change of scenery to kickstart his faltering career? That’s the view of former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins.
Speaking to Sky Sports in his role as a part-time pundit, Wilkins suggested that a move could do Walcott good.
Wilkins, who coached Walcott during his time in the England Under-21 side, said: “I think Theo’s had a nasty injury, with the cruciate. But, if you look, he’s been there 10 years now and played 225, 226 games. That’s not enough.”
Walcott has actually played 230 Premier League matches for Arsenal, plus 107 games in domestic and European cups.
However, 124 of his 337 Gunners appearances have been as a sub.
He has started just 15 of Arsenal’s 30 league games this season, having started only 13 of 76 in the previous two campaigns.
“I think it’s time now that Theo moves on, because I think he has to play,” Wilkins continued. “He’s not played enough, nowhere near enough football. And he doesn’t get selected at Arsenal.”
When asked whether Walcott should leave Arsenal, Wilkins concluded: “I think it could be on the cards now. [It’s] time to move on, time to start playing some football.
“If he hopes to get near to where we think he can get, he needs to be playing.”
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