…Owned by Arsenal, but for how much longer?
Not just last season, but for the last three. There has been no duo more prolific in the Premier League than Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott.
Here are the statistics to prove it.
Goalscoring combinations 2011/12
Van Persie & Walcott (Arsenal): 9
Zamora & Dempsey (Fulham): 6
Silva & Aguero (Man City): 6
Rooney & Valencia (Man United): 5
Rooney & Nani (Man United): 5
Goalscoring combinations since 2009/10
Van Persie & Walcott (Arsenal): 16
Rooney & Nani (Man United): 13
Cahill & Baines (Everton): 10
Drogba & Lampard: 10
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With Robin van Persie effectively ‘on-strike’ declaring his intention to quit Arsenal and missing their pre-season tour, it is doubtful his partnership with Walcott will ever blossom again.
Walcott himself is 50/50 to leave Arsenal, currently stalling on renewing his own contract which expires next summer. An interview he gave yesterday hinted he may yet re-sign, but many fear he will quit the club when Van Persie does.
The likelihood of them pitching up together is also remote, with differing teams linked with signing each. The above statistics simply underline what a challenge it will be to replace them, or if Walcott stays, he will hope to strike up a similar partnership with Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, or any other forward signed as a replacement for the Dutchman.
Arsenal fans need to cross their fingers one way or another.
What are the chances of Arsenal hanging onto both by time the season starts?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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