Arsene Wenger is set to hand Theo Walcott another chance to resurrect his Arsenal career in Belgrade on Thursday after admitting he had been “impressed” by the 28-year-old’s response to a spell on the sidelines.
Walcott is in line for only his fourth start of the season, having found first-team opportunities so far restricted to the Gunners’ Europa League and Carabao Cup campaigns.
The forward lost his place in the second half of last season as Arsenal suffered a dramatic dip in form between the end of January and April, during which they lost seven out of 12 matches in all competitions.
Walcott started all but three of those matches but once Wenger switched to a back three he was frozen out, starting just once in their final 10 games.
His three full appearances this season, however, have yielded as many goals, including a brace against BATE Borisov on his last outing three weeks ago, and Wenger told Standard Sport: “He had a very good game at BATE. He looks back to a very good shape. I felt it took him some time to come back to his real level. He had a difficult start, maybe, but since the start of the season he looks highly motivated and focused. I am impressed with what he is doing and the way he’s coping with the situation.”
Walcott has a little more than 18 months left on his present contract and has been linked with a move away should his situation not improve. But it is understood the forward’s preference is to remain at the club he joined almost 12 years ago, providing he is rewarded for his commitment by more regular opportunities.
There is little doubt Arsenal’s change of system has had a major impact. Alexandre Lacazette and Olivier Giroud find themselves competing for the central striker role, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are first-choice advanced midfielders, with Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck often being selected ahead of Walcott.