Transfer story
Arsenal have been on the receiving end of many big-name departures over the years. If the form on the pitch isn’t bad enough, the current contract situation of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil has made things worse. Now, reports have emerged that Southampton are preparing a bid to welcome back their former player Theo Walcott.
Southampton have struggled in front of the goal far too often this season. They have netted a mere 21 goals in the 22 Premier League games that they have played so far. Charlie Austin has scored six goals for the Saints while Gabbiadini has netted just thrice.
However, the manager’s preference, Shane Long, has scored just once so far and that is certainly worrying the management. Southampton sit in a lowly seventeenth position in the league table.
They would want to improve their performances in the second half of the season, so the manager is looking to bring in reinforcements in the coming weeks.
Why Walcott?
Theo Walcott is a product of Southampton’s youth academy and joined Arsenal in 2006. Ever since, he has made more than 400 appearances for the Gunners. Once labelled as the ‘next Thierry Henry’, Walcott has failed to live up to his expectations at the Emirates, though.
Walcott started brightly, but a string of injuries and inconsistent performances have seen him lose his spot in the first team. The Englishman, however, still does possess the talent that made him renowned in the first place.
Walcott still has good pace to burn and when given a string of games in his preferred position of centre-forward, he can score a few goals. The only thing missing from his game is consistency, but considering he hasn’t been given a regular starting berth, he could come good at Southampton where he might see regular game time.
The England international scored ten times in Premier League last season.
He has made five appearances from the bench and is apparently frustrated with the lack of game time. Southampton have decent creativity in Redmond and Tadic, they need someone who can finish the chances their attackers create and Walcott could be the answer.
A loan move can help him rediscover his form and would give him some much-needed playing time. However, with the future of Ozil and Sanchez yet to be resolved, will Arsene Wenger let Walcott leave?
