Arsenal star reveals why he doesn’t like playing on the wing
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has revealed why he doesn’t like playing on the wing – and it’s down to the defensive duties.
The England international is pleading with Arsene Wenger to use him as a main-striker over Olivier Giroud, rather than deploy him on the wing as a winger.
Walcott has been given numerous opportunities to play up front as a lone-striker, and the last time came at the weekend against Newcastle United, where he failed to make an impact.
However, the 26-year-old is adamant to prove doubters wrong and is hoping Wenger will continue to back him as a striker rather than a winger.
Walcott Plea
“On the right you have to do a bit more defending,” he told the club’s official website.
“Obviously up front you need to do your part because it always starts from the front, but on the right you need to track your runner, you need to tuck in for your fellow midfielders and your full backs.
“There’s all these other jobs that you need to do. Up front you can do things by just movement. At times you’re not involved in the games but you are.
“Some people may think, ‘Oh he hasn’t touched the ball for 15 minutes’ but you’re moving all the time, taking players and creating space for team-mates.
“That’s what strikers need to do at times, not just to always come for the ball and lay it off.
“You need to stretch teams, which will give our midfielders more space, more opportunities and more goals. That’s what you want in the team.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
