Theo Walcott, Arsenal and what could have been

Theo Walcott is on the way out of Arsenal, with a £20 million move to Everton all but confirmed. What legacy does he leave at the Emirates?

Theo Walcott is departing Arsenal to sign with Everton, according to the BBC, which also states that Arsene Wenger plans on reinvesting the funds from the sale to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bordeaux’s Malcolm.

Walcott’s Arsenal career was never supposed to end this way. He wasn’t supposed to be a player sold to bring in funds that could help improve the squad; he was supposed to be a key part of the squad.

Walcott arrived at Arsenal from Southampton for £5 million in January of 2006, and had all the potential in the world. He joined a squad that had an exciting combination of young talent and experience. His upswing continued after the Arsenal move, as he was named to England’s 2006 World Cup squad, and then made his debut for the club in August of 2006.

The future looked bright for Arsenal: they had just moved to the Emirates — a stadium that would bring in the matchday income required to compete with Chelsea and Manchester United (and later, City) — and their squad had potential.

Walcott was a part of the potential, as his early years saw the squad transition to one that was boasting young talents such as Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and others.

This core was exactly what Wenger desired. They had the talent necessary to finish in the top four year-in and year-out which would help the club maintain their enticing status for future transfers. The players would also hit their prime right as the club finished financing the stadium, finally allowing Arsenal to make lavish signings — similar to their Premier League rivals — adding to an already strong squad.

This dream never came to fruition. Chelsea, City and United continued to pip Arsenal to big signings, and their young core was never able to reach its potential. Walcott’s experience was, in this sense, emblematic of the club’s problems as a whole: he was always good, always promising, but never a winner.

The Englishman’s fitness issues started in the 2009-10 season, when he made only 15 starts for the club. The missed game time clearly wore on him as he struggled to live up to his potential. Eventually, his ability flatlined and Walcott became a player who Wenger was never quite sure of how to use. He had moments of brilliance on the wing and up top, but they were usually fleeting, and made worse by the always-simmering debate about his best position.

After 12 and a half seasons at the club, Walcott’s time is finally up. Having spent most of this season on the bench — his only starts have come in the Europa League — Walcott is in desperate need of a starting role if he wants to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2018 World Cup.

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Meanwhile, Wenger needs desperately to improve his squad and push to finish in the top four and get Arsenal back in the Champions League. In this context, it’s easy to realize what this transfer means and what Walcott will be remembered for. It won’t be his 2012-13 season, when Wenger converted him to striker and he finished the season as the club’s top goalscorer. It won’t be his hat-tricks against Newcastle and West Brom, either.

Walcott will be remembered for being part of a group that was supposed to progress and grow together, helping Arsenal return to their glory days and lift trophies at their new stadium. Instead, injuries and inconsistency led to regression. Walcott leaves the club with three FA Cups to his name, and more than a few memorable performances. More than anything else, though, he will leave fans wondering what could have been.