With Matt Ritchie struggling, is Arsenal’s Theo Walcott an option for Newcastle United?
Matt Ritchie has come in for criticism from Newcastle United fans after his performance as the Magpies went down 3-1 at Chelsea.
The former Bournemouth man, who cost £12 million in 2016, was responsible for the Blues’ second through Alvaro Morata following a weak header, and then conceded the second-half penalty which Eden Hazard clipped home to put the game beyond a spirited Newcastle side.
Ritchie’s form is certainly becoming a serious issue and, with Rafael Benitez’s side only five points above the drop zone, you wonder if the Spaniard could strengthen his right-wing options in January to increase the probability of Newcastle steering clear of relegation come May.
If he does, should Benitez consider Arsenal winger Theo Walcott?
The 28-year-old was valued at around £30 million in the summer but zero Premier League starts since should indicate that he is clearly not part of Arsene Wenger’s plans and thus he would be available for significantly cheaper in January.
The Arsenal man is often the subject of ridicule after failing to fulfill the potential he showed as a youngster all those years ago, but he is a good goalscorer and 22 goals in his last 35 starts for the Gunners ought to illustrate his prowess in the final third.
And, of course, he still has the pace and guile going forward which Ritchie does not. Benitez knows all about his pace after his famous assist against the Spaniard’s Liverpool side in the Champions League in 2008 and, if the price is right, Newcastle could do a lot worse.
Ritchie, who scored 12 times last season, was proficient in the Championship, but no goals in 15 Premier League games suggests he struggles to exert the same influence in the top tier and there can be no debate that Walcott is the better goalscorer.
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