7 Moments That Have Defined Theo Walcott's Career 14 Years on from Arsenal Move
Sunday marked 14 years to the day since Arsenal announced the signing of Theo Walcott from Southampton for £9.5m. When Theo signed for Arsenal, it was in a climate where Arsenal were not the laughing stocks they are now.
The Invincibles had changed the landscape of how to play football in England; Arsène Wenger had revolutionised the Premier League through training techniques and a calmer managerial approach; Arsenal's record of signing attackers was outstanding and now, they'd chosen this English 16-year-old as their future. In retrospect, it seems obvious he'd find it difficult to reach the heights set before him.
Walcott has had a curious career, almost always on the outskirts, flirting with success. A player defined by his pace and an inability to impose himself on a game. A scorer of great goals but never a great goalscorer. Number seven on the all-time Premier League appearance list for Arsenal, he's still only 30 years old [insert 'Three-0 Walcott' Peep Show reference].
90min looks back through seven moments that have shaped his career to this point as he drifts towards relative obscurity in the latter stages of his football life at Everton.
On the Plane - 2006
Just five months on from signing in north London - having not played a single minute for Arsenal - Walcott inexplicably found himself in England's World Cup squad. This moment changed the expectations that the winger would have to shoulder forever.
Walcott had already arrived with plenty of hype after the media had reported on the rumours of him being faster than icon Thierry Henry. However, going into his last tournament as England boss, Sven-Gorän Eriksson shocked the nation by picking the wide man in his squad. England went into the tournament with injury concerns over Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, so to not pick a fifth striker was confusing, to say the least.
Tottenham boss at the time, Martin Jol, was left astonished at the decision as it meant that Spurs striker Jermain Defoe was left at home. England had spoken about their plans to win the World Cup and Sven had put his faith in a 16-year-old.
Such was the fanfare at the decision, Eriksson publically said: "If you expect Walcott to have the impact Pele had in 1958, we are talking about the wrong things." Walcott would go on to make no appearances at the tournament, but it etched him into the public's consciousness with outlandish expectations.
That Run Against Liverpool - 2008
Walcott's run against Liverpool was truly a moment of footballing genius. Not only was it such an outstanding piece of skill, but it happened at a moment of intense pressure.
Arsenal were playing Liverpool in the quarter finals of the Champions League. The Reds were 2-1 up in the match, 3-2 on aggregate. Running the length of the pitch in the 84th minute, Walcott ghosted past four Liverpool players to serve the ball on a platter for Emmanuel Adebayor. The youngster had delivered a moment that matched the expectation that had come with his signing.
However, Arsenal - doing Arsenal things - conceded a penalty one minute later meaning that Walcott's moment of brilliance fell out of folklore. Unfortunately for Theo, it became an emblem of his unfulfilled potential. Why was it just a flash in the pan?
Hat-Trick vs Croatia - 2008
"The David Beckham era is over, the Walcott era has begun."
Esteemed football writer Henry Winter there, with a gushing tribute to the new heir apparent. Walcott's most prominent moments seem to be defined by appearances in an England shirt.
Up to this point, Walcott hadn't set the Premier League alight, scoring four times in 41 appearances. He was still an enigma; often making substitute appearances, fans had forgiven him for not making an impact due to his age and lack of game time.
However, his performance in Croatia showed a different side to the player. In his first international start, Walcott provided a ruthless and efficient hat-trick. His first two goals a carbon copy of each other, with his devastating pace on show for the third.
Injuries
While this is not a specific moment, it would be remiss to not mention the impact that injuries have had on Walcott. The winger had 14 injuries during his Arsenal career, missing 117 Premier League games, and spending 684 days on the treatment table.
Without injuries, Walcott most certainly would have made the most Premier League appearances for Arsenal.
A particular injury that really sticks out was during a 2-0 win against Spurs in the FA Cup. You might remember it as Walcott threw two fingers up at the Spurs fans to illustrate the score, and got hit by a coin as retribution. However, that season Walcott had been playing dynamic football but was struck down before he could build on his performances. A common trope with Theo.
League Cup vs Reading - 2012
Often remembered for the sheer absurdity of the game, Walcott was able to score a hat-trick to secure Arsenal safe passage into the next round. Arsenal found themselves 4-0 down after 37 minutes in a drubbing that only Arsenal seem capable of. What occurred next was outrageous.
12 goals in 120 minutes, a last-minute equaliser, four goals in extra time, Marouane Chamakh scoring twice (!), a Pavel Pogrebnyak sighting. An iconic game in the competition.
Perhaps it's illustrative of Walcott's career that he's best remembered for a game in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Such is the cruel nature of expectation when playing for a top club and for England.
FA Cup Final vs Aston Villa - 2015
In the halcyon days when Arsenal were 'only a top class striker away' from the Premier League title, Theo was pushing to be considered Arsenal's choice down the middle. Walcott was willing to leave the club on a free in 2012 if he wasn't given more opportunities.
Cast your minds back to the famous 'Sign Da Ting' song which confronted this: "Oi Theo stick to the wing. Playing up front just ain't your thing."
His best moment during his time as the lead striker came against Aston Villa in 2015. The game itself was a procession by the end as Arsenal won 4-0, but Walcott kicked the game off with a smart finish with his wrong foot.
It's not a memorable as his finish against Manchester City or his hat-trick against Newcastle, but a goal in a winning effort during a FA Cup final is nothing to sneer at.
Move to Everton - 2018
Theo's Arsenal career came to an end after 12 years and 275 Premier League appearances. He reached the next stage of his career by joining Everton in January 2018.
Walcott has continued with a similar output of goals and assists on Merseyside, suggesting that the player reached his maximum potential in London. Theo actually made the most appearances he's managed so far in his career during last year's Premier League season with 37. Everton feels about the right level as he can contribute in the Premier League irregularly in a less demanding situation.
Media, fans and management had previously overestimated Walcott's potential throughout his career, so his move to the Toffees and his slide towards relative obscurity might not be the worst thing, as he's no longer thrust into the spotlight unfairly. Here's hoping for a renaissance in the twilight of his career.