John Hilditch
It seems in a blink of an eye that Theo Walcott’s contract is up for renewal. Arsene’s recent comments about making contact with the embassy show that dealing with his people is hard work. The manager said he’s quick on the pitch but not off it. The negotiations feel like they go on longer than the actual contract.
The last time the club were negotiating with him, he absolutely had to sign, for the credibility of the club. Fabregas, Nasri and van Persie had all departed in the previous 18 months. Arsenal couldn’t let another go. Theo said he wanted to stay, loved the club and wanted to emulate his hero Henry but lots depended on playing centre forward. His people knew his marketability. These days though every aspect of those negotiations have turned in the clubs favour.
Theo isn’t the most marketable player at the club. A year out of the game is massive when in that time Ozil, Sanchez, the Ox and Giroud have starred in and won World Cups and been on tours. The running man in Asia might not now run after him and the club aren’t either. He’s got no hope of playing centre forward ahead of Giroud and Welbeck, with Sanogo due back in the summer and the potential of Akpom.
Theo doesn’t come off the bench in the big games let alone start them. The manager doesn’t seem to trust him or rate his overall game. He scores goals when he plays but the modern game demands more. Attackers have to defend as well as score. Look at Sanchez, Welbeck, Ox and Giroud for examples of this. Theo doesn’t seem interested in doing that, he doesn’t seem willing to step up to the challenge set by the other players. So, with the negotiations dragging on so long again, does he or his people have an inflated perception of his importance to the team and the club?
The crowd don’t demand him to come off the bench either. The relationship has changed since his year long absence despite him being due a testimonial if he signed a new contract. Would you go to his testimonial? (Ed’s note, in the current era, I feel certain such a game – if even held - would be to raise money for charity rather than benefit the player financially)
So, what next for Theo? If he signs a new contract, will he accept the challenge of becoming a better player or will he accept his place as a second choice player at the club? If he doesn’t sign by August, will the club run out of patience and sell him? I don’t think they’ll be held to a January ransom like before. Which top level teams would buy him? Arsenal as a team and club seem to be getting on with things and leaving him behind; and he doesn’t seem prepared to catch up. He needs to prove he’s worthy of Arsenal whereas last time, Arsenal needed to prove they were worthy of him.
