Theo Walcott’s 12-year Arsenal career ended in far from illustrious fashion as he revealed that he departed London Colney with his belongings in bin bags.
Walcott completed his £25million move to Everton on Wednesday, signing a three-and-a-half year deal at Goodison Park with the vow to “reignite” his career.
The 28-year-old played only 63 minutes in the Premier League this season, with his only starts coming in the EFL Cup and Europa League, and made an inauspicious exit from the side for whom he scored 108 goals.
“For whatever reason it didn't happen this year and that's why I've moved on,” Walcott, who trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday, admitted.
“I've known him (Wenger) since I was 16 and to bring in a young player and have belief in them I can't thank him enough for that.
"With any player if you are not playing you are going to be upset but I've always had so much respect for the manager.
“When you look at the minutes this season I've played I wasn't part of it so it was just getting the timing right.
“As a personal footballing career decision I felt it was time now. It happened so quickly. There is no point in dwelling on the past.
“When I found I was coming here I had to go there [Arsenal's training ground] at night and pick up all my stuff in bin bags. I will at some point go back and say my proper goodbyes but we do play them very soon, which I am looking forward to.”
Walcott will likely get his chance to say a proper farewell to Arsenal when Everton visit the Emirates on February 3.
In Pictures | Theo Walcott's 12 years at Arsenal
The Toffees were not the only club chasing Walcott’s signature during January, with Southampton the other leading contender for their former player.
But, as Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino confirmed today, they were unable to match Walcott’s salary in excess of £100,000-a-week.
“I think we did everything to try to bring this [player] here but we have to accept that,” he said. “It's part of our job.
“When you are in negotiations they are about two parts and we can do nothing.
“Obviously the money is part of the negotiations but I don't know the reason. We have got in our club the concern to try and bring a couple of targets.”