Deja Vu?
Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to let go of England winger Theo Walcott in the January transfer window. The sale could take place to ensure that Arsenal can raise funds for AS Monaco forward Thomas Lemar. Walcott has been at the Emirates since over a decade when he signed for the club in 2006 arriving from Southampton as a teenager for a fee of £5m. The Englishman has made over 260 appearances for the Gunners in the league scoring a tally of 65 goals spread out through 11 seasons.
Walcott has been an integral part of Arsenal’s squad through his time at the club but has recently found himself limited to roles as a substitute coming off the bench. The constant injuries in his career have also not helped his cause as he has found it difficult to get himself back into the first team.
Youngsters like Alex Iwobi and Mohammad Elneny have been preferred by Wenger over the pacey winger and his long time at Arsenal seems to be coming to an end soon. The 28 year old is reduced to making regular appearances in the League Cup and Europa League rather than in the Premier League.
And the rumors suggest that Walcott would be heading back to the club where his career began at Southampton, while Everton keeps a firm interest in bringing him to the Merseyside. But a January transfer is highly likely with Walcott not having a cemented place at the club.
Everton striker Sandro Ramirez has found his arrival at the club extremely difficult failing to register an assist or a goal since he came from Spanish club Malaga in the summer. Coming into the Toffees team with high expectations and hype, after scoring 14 goals for the La Liga outfit last year, he has been unable to display any of the form in his early Everton days, despite coming for a bargain £5m.
The Saints are currently lacking fire-power upfront and are in dire need of goals in the Premier League and Walcott can certainly provide some life and thrust in the Saints’ attack. The 28 year old attacker could be on for an emotional return to the South-Coast club in January with Arsene Wenger ready to get rid of the unwanted stock at Arsenal.
Reports claim that Southampton are willing to spend close to £15m for recruiting the services of Walcott and with just 18 months left on the Englishman’s contract, Arsenal are willing to cash in.
Editor’s View: The Europa League Factor!!
Well, the team’s performance in the Europa could be the only competition which might change the decision of various top Arsenal stars, who had plans of leaving the Emirates in January. If the Gunners can put in some solid performances and put in a good run in the competition, the chance to lift a European title will make the likes of the Englishman surely stay in north London.
Wenger would want to lift a major trophy in Europe and it will be interesting to see how he plans and plots his team’s success in the various competitions in the upcoming days.
