The trouble with Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott shares some traits with Thierry Henry

For a man not yet 23, Theo Walcott may contend that he has suffered more criticism than reasonable. It’s not his fault that he was signed for £9m as a 16-year-old; nor his that he was then taken to the World Cup before he had made his Arsenal debut. In his career so far he has already scored a hat trick for England against Croatia; helped to transform a match against Barcelona; and played with brilliant dynamism in Arsenal’s 5-3 win at Stamford Bridge this season. Is criticism of him just a little unreasonable?

Walcott has often been compared with the man who wore the number 14 shirt at Arsenal before him, Thierry Henry. As well as their shirt number, both share remarkable powers of acceleration, the ability to dribble past defenders and the tendency to drift in from the wing to attack the opposition goal. Yet, perhaps a more relevant comparison is with the England cricketer Monty Panesar. Shane Warne famously said of Panesar that “he hasn’t played 33 Tests, he’s played one Test 33 times.”

One can say something very similar of Walcott. He has more and less effective games, as all players do, but the overall improvement seems lacking, the same mistakes keep being repeated. This season, his crossing has improved markedly – but it remains exasperatingly inconsistent. His finishing, for all the excellence of his goal in Arsenal’s last game at Swansea, seldom inspires confidence. Indeed five goals in 27 games this season, compared to 13 in 38 last campaign, adds to the notion that it may just be getting worse; certainly, his finishing is nowhere near good enough for him to be moved to the centre, as if often discussed. It is a damning indictment indeed that he could learn much from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, only 18 but with a natural directness towards goal that Walcott, too often tentative when opportunities present themselves, needs to replicate.

The spectacular performances Walcott has produced in his career – Lionel Messi, no less, called him “one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against” – now look less like proof of his ease on the highest stage than illusionary breakthroughs. Walcott’s first ‘breakthrough’, a wonderfully assured trio of goals away to Croatia, was over three years ago. It is reasonable to doubt whether he will ever attain consistency.

It is a great shame, for Walcott’s raw pace, dribbling and, on occasions at least, finishing ability hints at a rare class: one that suggests comparisons with Henry need not be outlandish. Preventing him stepping up is a lack of footballing awareness – reflected in poor decision-making under pressure. Perhaps there is also an innate lack of self-belief. There should not be, but it does seem revealing that Walcott’s finest performances – think of his appearance against Barcelona in 2010, when he was a substitute; and the match in Croatia, when he was a borderline selection – have been when expectations on him were minimal. After these he has not gone as, but has retreated into himself. Far too often, his impact on games is little more than peripheral.

It is all rather exasperating to watch: a brilliantly talented footballer whose career is seemingly being played on loop, the pursuit of consistent excellence forever elusive. That might seen a harsh verdict considering Walcott’s age, but, in his sixth season in the Arsenal first team, it hardly seems unreasonable to hope his progress might have become a little more obvious.

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