What Role Should Theo Walcott Play for Arsenal as the Season Progresses?

The last round of Premier League fixtures was a good one for Arsenal. They collected three points against Sunderland and saw rivals Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool all fail to win. However, there was something almost as welcome as the victory: the return of Theo Walcott.

Arsenal had been without the England international since he limped out of action during the Capital One Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday on October 27. However, he came on against Sunderland to inject some much-needed speed and energy into what had been a lacklustre attacking display. Having proved his fitness, he’ll be pushing to reclaim his first-team place once again.

The Gunners have missed Walcott. For much of the second half of 2014/15, it was difficult to see where he fitted into the Arsenal XI. However, the final two games of the campaign saw him repurposed as a central striker, and Arsene Wenger now seems to have decided that’s his best position.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

His performances in the first portion of the season brought an extra dimension to their front line. Shortly before his injury, Wenger spoke to Amy Lawrence of the Guardian in praise of his performances:

"

In the last few games, he looks always dangerous in this position. The quality of his movement is outstanding and he has found his finishing again. Now against Man United he has also found his commitment back.

[...]

What you want from Theo is the commitment he showed against Man United in the challenges. If he adds that to his game then he will be difficult to stop.

"

Wenger will hope that this latest injury does not derail Walcott’s development significantly. When he has been out for a while, it can take him some time to regain his confidence in physical challenges.

Time is not something Arsenal can afford at present, especially with Alexis Sanchez out of the side. Walcott’s attributes are the most analogous with the Chilean’s, so Wenger will be keen to reintroduce him to the side as soon as possible. Only he can come close to matching the cocktail of speed and finishing prowess that Alexis regularly displays.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

However, it’s unlikely Wenger will deploy Walcott in the position Alexis has vacated on the flank. The Gunners boss does not seem to trust Walcott in wide areas anymore. Arsenal’s system requires a measure of defensive responsibility from its wingers, and Walcott has let the Gunners down in that respect before—most notably and recently during February’s 2-1 defeat away at Tottenham, when he stood off Danny Rose, allowing him to cross for Harry Kane’s winner.

That means Walcott could soon be restored to his central role, which is bad news for Olivier Giroud. Although the Frenchman’s scoring record has been relatively impressive during Walcott’s absence, the team seems to function better with the Englishman as its spearhead. Giroud may have to return to making cameos as an effective super-sub.

At the start of the season, Arsenal looked to have discovered a dynamic new attacking shape. That was contingent on the inclusion of Walcott at centre-forward. Over the coming weeks, he looks set to assume that role once again. 2015/16 will surely be remembered as the season that Walcott became a full-time centre-forward.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.