Gunners contract rebel Theo Walcott insists the hold up with his renewed contract is over football reasons rather than money, as he insists he wants to become an Arsenal legend.
It’s common knowledge that Walcott is eager to make the transition from winger to centre forward just like Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, but with his contract expiring next summer Wenger has threatened to sell him if there is no solution over his current deal come January.
Walcott, speaking to publicise the Mars Just Play initiative, said:
It’s a slow process. My last contract took over six months to happen. Hopefully it can be sorted out.
I’ve never said I wanted to go, I’ve always wanted to stay. I want to be an Arsenal legend. Thierry joined the club when he was 22 and I want to become an Arsenal legend like him, playing up front as well, which is a big factor for me. I’ve played on the right wing and had the opportunity to play up front a bit more so I think it’s about time.
That speculation on the money side of it has never been me. That’s not me. I’m not the sort of person who’s influenced by money. I always make my decisions based on football and only football. Hopefully something can be sorted out. I’ll just wait for the club to get back to us now and go from there.
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It’s one of those things that happens in the game. If it comes to it, if the club had to sell me, I’d be disappointed but, like I said, hopefully something can be sorted.
I can not say I agree with Walcott’s stance on assuring a striking role with Arsenal before signing a new deal. Wenger has stated in the past that he will eventually make the transition to a centre forward, but this is not going to happen if Walcott does not provide consistency on the pitch.
He will be envious of Gervinho being utilized as a striker recently, however this proves that the Englishman will get his chance if he performs and signs new terms with the club.
The bottom line for Theo is just to sign a new contract and start producing the form we all know he is capable of producing, the goals will come and so will the opportunity for playing up front.
As to whether he will become a Henry-esk legend, the ball is in his court. He has to show consistency which I can not stress enough, especially with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain breathing down his neck both for club and country. He has the potential as he has improved drastically as a football player and utilized his speed to great effect with his well timed runs and decent finishing. With Cazorla now in the side he will be able to thread the ball through for the English international similarly to how Fabregas used to.
What are your thoughts on the contractual predicament? Feel free to comment below or carry on the conversation in Theo’s thread in the allArsenal Forum.
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