An insipid Gunner’s performance contributed to the dull 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday evening, and the biggest factor might have been the absence of Walcott.
Arsenal fans may have spent a part of the second half at Villa Park chanting for Jack Wilshere to come off the bench, but it was Theo Walcott they missed most on Saturday.
Wilshere had been left on the bench as Arsene Wenger looked to stagger his return to the side to maintain his fitness, whilst Walcott was absent with injury.
Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain were the two replacements, and the different regard each of them is held in may be a factor in the focus being on Wilshere’s absence, rather than Walcott.
Ramsey has become an increasingly frustrating figure at Arsenal, with a string on indifferent performances belying his early promise. Oxlade-Chamberlain, on the other hand, is a very promising player, and a fan’s favourite at Arsenal already.
However Walcott’s absence was a major factor is Arsenal’s lack of incision at Villa, as his direct running and improved crossing ability has been at the centre of Arsenal’s recent threat.
Against Fulham Walcott chipped in with two assists, before adding a goal and another assist against Sours the week after.
Despite his pleas for a central role, he has been kept on the right flank of the attack, and his crossing has been important in Olivier Giroud’s excellent form. Walcott generally plays in a more advanced position than Oxlade-Chamberlain, and provides a more natural threat through his positioning and pace.
With Walcott in the side Arsenal are more direct, trading some of their domination of possession for a greater threat down the flanks and on the break.
For all their control of the game against Villa, they only managed one shot on target. Walcott may break up moves and waste possession on occasion, but he creates chances, and his crossing suddenly looks a whole lot less wasteful this season with a genuine target like Giroud in the middle.
Whatever is going on off the pitch, recent weeks have shown that Walcott is an important presence on it. There’s no doubt getting Wilshere fully fit and starting every game will be crucial to Arsenal, but in terms of goal threat, Walcott was bigger loss this weekend.
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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