Gunners manager Arsene Wenger spoke to the media on Tuesday about possible talks with Theo Walcott over a contract extension. The French manager stated, “We are starting to sit down with him. I think he has one and a half years to go on his contract in December and it is never an easy job with him, you know.”
Wenger also alluded to the fact that perhaps Walcott is just now entering his prime by saying, “will he be at his peak in the next few years? He should be, yes. He is 25. It is the best years now so hopefully we can profit from that.” The star winger’s current deal runs out at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Walcott made his return to first team action on Saturday, as the Gunners picked apart Burnley in a 3-0 victory at The Emirates. The England international played the final 10 minutes of the match and looked quite sharp despite missing out of the last 10 months due to a severe knee injury. The cameo appearance was Walcott’s first time on the field with the senior level squad since going down with the injury during a 2-0 FA Cup victory over bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur last January.
News of a potential contract extension for Walcott should be met with cheers by Gooners. There is no question that Arsenal appears to be much more dangerous with the Englishman in the squad. Walcott’s pace and finishing abilities are top notch, and while the Gunners `seem to be stagnant at times, this is not usually the case when Walcott is in the side.
With Walcott returning to the team, most would assume that he would feature on the right flank and fellow speedster Alexis Sanchez would be deployed on the left flank, however, while this option is certainly mouthwatering, Wenger just might have other ideas.
Following the 3-0 win against Burnley, Wenger said of the in-form Alexis, “since he’s played through the middle he looks more goal dangerous. Now it looks to me that he’s really dangerous through the center of the pitch because he’s in full confidence, he’s physically strong, he likes to take people on as well and he makes perfect runs. Through the center of the pitch maybe he’s more dangerous.”
The manager’s statements could possibly mean that Arsenal could utilize Alexis in the No. 10 role, or even as a center forward. Whichever way Wenger choses to use Alexis, a potential long-term partnership of the Chilean and Walcott would be absolutely explosive for the Gunners. Although the team from north London has dealt with a plethora of the injuries during the early stages of the season, a bit of good news will surely make Arsenal fans happy.
