When Theo Walcott was first bought by Arsenal in January 2005, he was criticised for his perceived lack of quality. But Gunners fans had never even seen him play. He had an excellent stint in Southampton, where he started to impress Arsene Wenger. And after joining Arsenal, he showed us his potential in the 2006/2007 season his pace, agility, trickery and technique.

Recently, Walcott has been played out wide and as a winger he needs those attributes. But as a striker he has shown little of his worth as yet. Thierry Henry started as a left winger, which explained his fast runs on the left. Walcott on the other hand, usually executes fast runs on the right.

Theo proved his true potential to us this season in the 7-0 demolition against Slavia Prague. His second goal, a blistering run on the left and a simple toe-poke finish into the net, led to comparisons with Arsenal legend Henry. But let's compare Walcott as a winger with past Arsenal wingers, including Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires and Marc Overmars.

'Walcott has the same attributes Henry does but his main weakness is his lack of confidence'


Ljungberg had a high work rate; his pace, technique was a burden for any defender to handle. He could play on either wing, or as a second striker. He had to fight with constant injury problems and occasionally severe migraines; in 2005 a mysterious persistent hip injury led to fears he may have contracted cancer, which were unfounded. It transpired that he was suffering from blood poisoning caused by his large tattoos.

That's a bit unlike Walcott now, isn't it? Pires had a lower work rate, but his sublime technique, skills and finishing awed football fans who saw him playing for Arsenal at that time. I was greatly saddened by Pires' departure, because he felt Wenger didn't trust him any more.

The ability of Overmars to score last-gasp goals was truly remarkable - as was his bravery.

Walcott is a bit of Pires and Ljungberg. but he is not an Overmars. Still, with a lot more confidence, the young lad can turn out a real bargain. After all, Wenger has never been wrong. Sure, players like Jermain Pennant and Francis Jeffers and Stuart Taylor never succeeded because they disobeyed Wenger, thus not being able to shine at the club.

TH14 took almost a season to really find his feet at Arsenal. Walcott has the same attributes Henry does but his main weakness is his lack of confidence. His true strength is as a wide player, so when he's brimming with confidence, he turns into a class player.

Walcott can turn out to bean excellent player, provided he has confidence. And, or course, when Arsene Wenger works his magic.