Arsenal’s Theo Walcott has a way to go before he impresses Chris Sutton.
Chris Sutton has told The Mail that Arsenal’s Theo Walcott did not impress him in England’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
The Three Lions drew a blank in their third Group F encounter, but remain top of the group on seven points.
Much has been made over Walcott’s form for Arsenal, with the 27-year-old netting five times in all competitions this season.
For the Gunners, he looks a totally different player to the one who prompted doubts about his long-term future in North London with a lot of sluggish outings last term.
With that being said, he has struggled to bring his Arsenal form to the international scene and did not have a huge impact against either Malta or Slovenia.
And Sutton, speaking to The Mail, says that the winger is not clever or creative enough to win his admiration.
He said: “All the fuss about Theo Walcott this season — I don’t get it.
“People are saying he is a changed player. He is neither clever nor creative and he was completely ineffective once again for England.
“The Arsenal man has no guile and didn’t link up at all or put any decent crosses in all night. His pass appreciation is desperately poor and his defensive clearance just after half-time summed his night up. Everyone has credited Gareth Southgate for having the courage to drop Wayne Rooney, but he needs to learn fast and leave Walcott out.”
Walcott will hope to make a point to the former Premier League striker this weekend when Arsenal host Swansea City at the Emirates. Should they win, it would be Arsene Wenger’s side sixth successive Premier League win, and Walcott has played a big role in this purple patch.
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