Will Theo Walcott Ever Be a Gunner Legend?

The career of young Theo Walcott has already taken a few twist and turns. 

As a young kid, he came to Arsenal in January 2006 with a ton of potential and rave reviews after only a handful of senior games from Southampton.

His inclusion in the national team for the 2006 World Cup at only 17 was probably a bit premature and may have even stunted his development to a small degree. 

Some blistering performances in the last season showed fans glimpses of what he is capable of. We also saw some very ordinary performances to remind us that he is not quite the finished article yet. But I think this could be Theo's year to shine.

He had a superb finish to last season out on the wing, finally turning in some match-winning performances. These included that fantastic run at Anfield in last season's Champions League. He followed this up with some more than impressive preseason performances during the Gunners training camp in Austria.  

Theo is, without a doubt, at his best cutting inside from the wing on those blindingly quick runs, skipping past defenders and creating opportunities inside the box. The only drawback is that he seems to outrun the ball at times and lose control of it.

However, after seeing him in preseason, it's clear this is an area that he has worked hard on over the summer. More than one defense will be worried by the lad in the coming campaign.

The challenge for Walcott this season will be to keep a regular starting place in the Arsenal side as well as for England.

With his already acknowledged pace and creativity, combined with the undoubted improvements he has made in terms of his ball control and positioning, he looks set for a stellar season this year out on the wing. 

I wouldn’t mind betting that he may also get a run up front. His value as a link player is becoming more and more apparent and, in my opinion, this is the season when he will become a mainstay of the Arsenal side, much like Cesc Fabregas.