Premier League icon Matt Le Tissier has told talkSPORT that Theo Walcott cannot succeed as a central striker at Arsenal due to the style of football Arsene Wenger’s men tend to play, the pundit told.
Walcott was deployed in a traditional striking role for England against Italy and lacked invention as Roy Hodgson attempted to partner the Arsenal man alongside in-form Harry Kane.
Walcott’s appearances at Arsenal have been limited this season with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez all ahead of him in the pecking order. Southampton legend Le Tissier has warned the forward that a move away from the club may be needed should he succeed as a top-level striker.
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“He could be a very useful centre-forward in a team that plays on the counter-attack,” Le Tissier told the radio station.
“Arsenal tend to dominate football matches, especially at home, and there isn’t always a lot of space in behind the back four.
“You saw last night, Italy didn’t allow too much space in behind and dropped fairly deep, and there was no room for Theo to manoeuvre.
“I do think he could be a centre-forward if he was in a different team.”
Le Tissier’s latest statements may actually become a reality with Walcott yet to sign a contract extension. His absence from the Gunners team could be as a result of that with the current situation mirroring that of his last contractual dispute where Walcott was also deprived of playing time.
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