Theo Walcott netted his 100th Arsenal goal but why does he split fan opinion and will he go down as Gunners great?

Arsene Wenger, Theo Walcott’s manager of the last 11 years, probably had the latest member of Arsenal’s 100 club about right when he spoke of him last year.

‘You have to fix yourself somewhere,’ Wenger said. ‘When he does go through the middle he thinks maybe it's better for me on the right.’

Eleven years and 100 goals down the line from his 2006 move from Southampton, Walcott is part of the furniture at Arsenal — but as an ever-present item that has faced questions about being out of place. On the flank or through the middle?

Theo Walcott wrote his name into Arsenal's history books after netting his 100th goal

Theo Walcott wrote his name into Arsenal's history books after netting his 100th goal

Walcott struck in the second half to bring up his century of goals for Arsenal 

Walcott struck in the second half to bring up his century of goals for Arsenal 

Even on Monday night at Sutton United, where he had a hand in the opener before netting his landmark goal for the clincher, there was criticism and complains about Walcott.


As captain, he wore short sleeves when his team-mates went long — a break from club tradition; a few poor touches to break down passing moves on the plastic pitch were picked up on.

The 27-year-old is still divisive for fans but the record books do not lie: Walcott is one of just 18 men to score over 100 goals in Arsenal red and this is shaping up to be one of the strongest seasons of his career.

Walcott, of course, has always been something of an outsider. As an 18-year-old he pitched up at the 2006 World Cup for England Sven-Goran Eriksson in a shock call and effectively played a player-tourist role with no minutes on the pitch.

Walcott scored his first Arsenal goal against Chelsea during the 2007 League Cup final

Walcott scored his first Arsenal goal against Chelsea during the 2007 League Cup final

Walcott has also scored in the FA Cup final for Arsenal in 2015

Walcott has also scored in the FA Cup final for Arsenal in 2015

HOW HE SCORED HIS 100 ARSENAL GOALS

Right foot 79

Left foot 16

Headed 3

Other 2

Inside the box 92

Outside the box 8

Home 50

Away 47

Neutral 3 

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The Swedish manager even mentioned before that ill-fated jaunt to Germany that his decision to call on Walcott was made ‘probably not too logically’. It was a judgment, he said, based on ‘feelings’ and being ‘excited’.

And even if the hype that surrounded him before moving to Arsenal in January 2006 has long subsided, that continues to be what the wide forward offers.

Supporters are left wanting more after a hot streak or the odd driving run at a defence inspires hope. Those moments have not translated into long-term, consistent success.

There have been five club hat-tricks since his first goal in the Capital One Cup final against Chelsea in 2007 — and he is the only Arsenal player to have scored in the showpiece occasions of both domestic trophies.

But what is there to show for all he has offered up? Walcott would be unlikely to get into the teams of any of the rest of the Premier League’s Big Six and his honours list only amounts to two FA Cup wins.

Then, of course, there is the added frustration of issues like his failure to track back in the humbling by Chelsea next month — and the dilemmas of his ‘best position’.

Walcott marks his goal against Bournemouth in November by celebrating the birth of his son

Walcott marks his goal against Bournemouth in November by celebrating the birth of his son

Walcott jumps for joy as he celebrates his goal against Swansea in October

Walcott jumps for joy as he celebrates his goal against Swansea in October

Walcott, for his part, at least now believes that his place is on the wing. Nail that down and he can improve. He has put in extra work in the gym this season, too..

Manager Wenger challenged the 27-year-old to up his performance levels last year. 

The England forward scored a hat-trick in the 7-3 win over Newcastle at the Emirates in 2012

The England forward scored a hat-trick in the 7-3 win over Newcastle at the Emirates in 2012

Walcott has taken 370 games to reach his landmark goal tally 

Walcott has taken 370 games to reach his landmark goal tally 

Walcott has scored in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup

Walcott has scored in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup

MOST ASSISTS FOR HIS GOALS 

Santi Cazorla 9

Alexis Sanchez 8

Cesc Fabregas 5

Robin van Persie 5

Andrey Arshavin 4

Nicklas Bendtner 4

Mesut Ozil 4

Jack Wilshere 4

Alex Iwobi 4

Abou Diaby 3

Olivier Giroud 3

Aaron Ramsey 3 

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‘The next four or five years will be absolutely decisive for him because that is when you make your career,’ Wenger said. ‘That's when a good player becomes a great player, or just remains a good player.’ 

Walcott averages a goal every 3.7 games through his Arsenal career, but that improves to one in every two this season.

Match that sort of tally over another couple of seasons and he will trouble the upper ranks of Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorers’ list.

Dennis Bergkamp and Co will be looking over their shoulders — even if Walcott, with 370 games under his belt, reached this mark having played more games than any other player to hit 100 for Arsenal.

It seems strange to pine over the potential of a 27-year-old — but perhaps there is more to come from Walcott: Arsenal’s nearly man who is still finding his way into the record books.