14. Theo Walcott

At some point in the future when Theo looks back at his career, he will probably judge 2008/09 as his breakthrough campaign.

He began the season on the fringes of the Arsenal and England sides, remembered for flashes of brilliance – his brace at Birmingham, his assist at Anfield – but yet to make a sustained contribution.

That all changed in Zagreb in September 2008. A stunning hat-trick saw off Croatia and propelled England towards the World Cup Finals. It made Walcott a hero in his own country and boosted his reputation abroad.

Theo nailed down a place in Arsène Wenger’s team at the same time. He has always been blessed with searing pace but now combined this with better decision-making and a more positive, physical approach. Suddenly, the little winger was having a big say in matches.

A dislocated shoulder stopped Theo in his tracks last November and he spent four months on the sidelines. But he returned to score a vital goal against Villarreal in the Champions League and broke the deadlock in the FA Cup Semi-Final against Chelsea at Wembley.

This season we could see Theo in a different role - as a striker. He hinted at a positional switch during the summer and Arsène Wenger’s 4-3-3 formation seems to suit Theo perfectly. His pace through the middle could be a lethal weapon in the years to come - for Arsenal and for England.

 

MY YEAR

January

Theo missed Arsenal's first three games in January due to a rib injury but returned as a substitute in the 4-2 home win over Bolton. He also featured against Stoke and Aston Villa. Theo came in for criticism after the FA Cup trip to Stoke but Arsène Wenger launched a staunch defence of his player and insisted that Walcott must be given time to find his rhythm. “There is no player in the world who can be out for two months, come back and be outstanding,” he said. “He doesn't exist, unfortunately. It’s not like you switch an engine on and off in the car. It demands competition and the most important thing for Theo now is not to be injured for five or six weeks. Then you will see a different Walcott.”

December

Theo made four starts and one substitute appearance for Arsenal in December but missed the Portsmouth game at the end of the month through injury. "He has a rib injury," said Arsène Wenger. "Last time he had it on the right and this time it is on the left. Last time he was out for nearly a month. We hope that this time it will be much shorter."

October

Theo marked his return from injury with a goal in Arsenal's 6-2 win over Blackburn at the start of the month but then had to come off 33 minutes into the win over Birmingham with a medial knee ligament injury. Arsène Wenger said that Walcott could be out for "three to four weeks".

More Theo Walcott News