Since his high profile signing from Southampton as an adorable, bright-eyed prospect (presumably a virgin). Theo Walcott’s career has been a sports correspondent’s wet dream: a surprise inclusion in Sven’s world cup squad, an impressive hat-trick for his country, Capello’s decision not to take him to South Africa – and all this time under constant scrutiny from pundits, back-room staff and hopeful fans.
Arsene Wenger has frequently stated his belief that Theo will one day fulfill a more central attacking role, playing off the last man and using his explosive acceloration to create chances, much in the same way Thierry Henry used to do so often.
Now and again we’re shown glimpses of this potential. Most recently, his brace against Newcastle in Tuesday’s 4-0 League Cup victory. His hat-trick against Croatia, and perhaps most impressively, his deft chip against Villareral in the Champions League.
More often utilised as a wide player, questions have been repeatedly raised about his distribution and decision making. Critics, such as the Thunderbird puppet-faced, leather skinned arsehole that is Alan Hansen have been quick to shoot down young Theo at the first opportunity, describing him as little more than a sprinter.
Despite in early injury layoff sustained during England duty, Theo has netted 6 times so far this season; a combination of incisive runs from outside and splitting away from the last man. Thierry Henry famously started for Arsenal as a winger, before being sculpted into the finset goal scorer Arsenal fans have ever seen. What will the future have in store for the boy whose childhood hero was King Henry XIV?