Theo Walcott: This Season’s Biggest Regret

Last Sunday’s win against Hull City showed pundits and fans what this Arsenal can do when our stars are fit.

Ramsey controlled the flow of the game and his late runs into the box showed what we had been missing while he was gone. Ozil put in a typically classy and influential performance by dictating our passing in the final third. A feeling of patience, yet incisiveness around the box had disappeared in his absence. The superb quality around the goal was a welcome reminder of our qualities. Not to mention, Giroud looked outstanding with runners supporting him and getting into dangerous areas.

The insertion of quality that comes with Ramsey and Ozil’s return to the pitch signal a promising end to the year. We look primed to end our trophy drought in the FA Cup and finish in 4th above Everton, provided no slip ups. If our form continues, it should give the players confidence and motivation going into the summer. The person who should be most excited for next year and who I think is this seasons biggest regret is Theo Walcott.

This would of been Theo’s year.

I know hindsight is 20-20 but given Giroud’s struggles, Ozil’s arrival, Ramsey’s incredible form, Arsenal’s lack of pace, etc. Theo would have lit the league on fire this season. What hurts the most is that with Giroud being dropped for an inexperienced Yaya Sanogo in our biggest games, Theo would have finally gotten his chance to lead the line. He would have made a strong claim to be Arsenal’s leading striker.

While it is certainly refreshing to see Liverpool take the league this year rather than that pompous Mourinho, I can’t help but think that it should have been Arsenal standing atop the table. While blaming injuries is a common narrative amongst recent Arsenal seasons, this years injury crisis has certainly hurt more than others. If Theo had been fit, his goal scoring form could mirror Daniel Sturridge’s incredible season. Yes, Liverpool have played much less games than Arsenal but if injuries wouldn’t had ravaged our team there’s no reason to think we wouldn’t be top considering our record against lower opposition. Our season crippling draw (at the time) against Swansea was a perfect example of who we are with our stars out injured. Just to give readers an idea of how deep our team would be, let me show you our fully fit starting 11 including the bench:

Szczesny

Sagna Per Kos Gibbs

Flamini Ramsey

Theo Ozil Santi

Giroud

Bench: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Arteta, Jack, Poldi, Ox

Important to note that leaves players like: Rosicky, Kallstrom, Diaby, Sanogo, Gnabry NOT EVEN IN THE SQUAD.

It’s easy to say that injuries have derailed our season but what I am alluding to most is that the absence of Theo Walcott from this squad, might have costed us the Premier League crown. Next year, with the addition of a striker or two, we should hit the ground running. Yes the World Cup takes a lot out of the players but just remember, Theo and Ramsey will have a full sumer to recoup. Next season is looking bright!