English international, Theo Walcott has had his best season in an Arsenal shirt, hitting the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career after his strike against the relegated QPR on Saturday, his solitary goal turning out to be enough to get the 3 points.
Walcott, along with summer signings Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud were handed the responsibility to replace the goals of Robin van Persie. Walcott stepped up and enjoyed a bright first half of the season. However, he has lost his way a bit since the turn of the year.
He did not find the back of the net for months until last week, where he opened the scoring for Arsenal early on against champions Manchester United, following that up with the goal against QPR which took him to the 20-goal mark.
It is no secret that Walcott prefers to play in a central role rather than on the right wing. That was one of the major reasons behind the long and delayed contract talks between him and Arsenal.
With Frenchman Giroud suspended for Arsenal’s remaining two games, the attention shifted on to Arsene Wenger and his decision of either fielding Walcott as a striker or a winger.
Wenger however chose to deploy Podolski up front for the United and QPR games, but instead Walcott ended up being the one to score in both the matches.
With Arsenal ready to welcome Wigan at the Emirates this weekend, Wenger has again made it clear that he will be sticking with Podolski and playing Walcott out wide.
According to Dailymail, Wenger said, “I use him on the flank because I try to put a player in the middle who can score goals and having another player on the flank who can score it gives you a little bit of security.”
“He (Walcott) is more mature in his finishing. His goal was similar to the one he scored against Manchester United. It’s a short back lift.
“Now you see every time he hits the target, he is forcing the keeper into a save.
‘That’s why his numbers are so much better.”