Arsenal face Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening with Theo Walcott looking to continue his impressive recent form as their main striker.
During the international break, Walcott noted that he has been getting advice from Gunners legend Thierry Henry, as reported by ESPN, and the Frenchman certainly knows a thing or two about scoring against the Hornets.
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“I’ve had quite a few words with him behind the scenes about some of the games I’ve played,” Walcott told reporters, as noted by ESPN.
“He has just given me his analysis on myself and if I’ve needed to ask him some questions about it, he’s always there.”
The 26-year-old has looked rejuvenated so far this year, scoring four goals in seven Premier League games this season.
That has come as a result of his improved ability to lead the Arsenal line, and his performance in the 3-0 win over Manchester United prior to the international break drew high praise from Arsene Wenger who described it as his best performance for the club so far, according to The Daily Star.
Walcott was a threat with his pace and movement as well as being able to stretch the United defence for the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to thrive upon the space left behind. In addition, his tenacity and aggressiveness off the ball ensured that the visitors were unable to settle in a manic opening ten minutes to the game.
Those are characteristics that made Henry so successful in north London, although Walcott has some way to go to equal the Frenchman in terms of their consistent goalscoring ability.
That is a problem that has blighted the England international throughout his career, particularly when playing the lead striker role.
Olivier Giroud has continued to provide competition and will suit certain scenarios better with his aerial threat and general presence, but Walcott is beginning to silence the critics that doubt whether he can successful play as a central striker.
Henry proved over a number of years how it can be done having scored 228 goals for the Gunners, while Walcott has only made double figures in three of his nine years at Arsenal.
As a result, he still has much to prove moving forward this year, but with Henry setting the precedent as well as advising Walcott as he continues to improve, Wenger will undoubtedly hope that the pacy forward can fire his side to silverware this season and end the criticism over the Gunners needing another striker.
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