Has Theo Walcott Left It Too Late to Enter Arsenal Contract Negotiations?

It seemed contract talks between Theo Walcott and Arsenal had reached an impasse. However, stories have come out, via Sky Sports, that the England international is now willing to sit down and discuss a new deal.

That represents a significant shift in the power struggle between player and club. Conventionally, it is in the player’s interest to wait as long as possible before putting pen to paper. However, this leak is perhaps a sign that Walcott is growing anxious about his prospects of agreeing a renewal. It may be that this olive branch has still come too late. 

The last time Walcott signed a contract with Arsenal, back in January of 2013, the dynamic was entirely different. Arsenal were still recovering from losing a quartet of stars in the space of a calendar year. Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Alex Song had all left the club, and the prospect of losing Walcott too was unthinkable. The winger effectively had Arsenal over a barrel, and the Gunners were forced to make him the highest-paid player at the club.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Now, Walcott is not quite so indispensable. A year on the sidelines has seen the Gunners move on without him. In the summer, Arsene Wenger acquired Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez, both of whom have the searing pace that once made Walcott unique in the Arsenal squad.

They’re also more rounded players, offering defensive work rate and positional discipline. Walcott remains an effective weapon in the final third, but he’s an option Wenger seems increasingly unwilling to deploy.

At present, Aaron Ramsey is filling the vacancy on the right-hand side of the field, with Walcott largely featuring as an unused substitute. The fact that a central midfielder is currently ahead of Walcott in the pecking order on the flank tells you volumes about Wenger’s recent reluctance to use the man he signed as a 16-year-old.

One can’t help but suspect that the manager’s mind has already been made up. Walcott is notoriously difficult to negotiate with, with talks typically lasting several months. If Wenger was really intent on keeping him, he would surely have pushed harder to discuss terms sooner. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

He also has Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to consider. Although currently injured, Oxlade-Chamberlain is 21 now and at an age where he needs to be playing regular football.

In the first half of the campaign, he demonstrated the ability to form an effective foil for Alexis Sanchez with his direct running and relentless work rate. He still needs to produce more end product in terms of goals and assists, but that development can only take place with appropriate playing time. 

Walcott is 26, with a history of serious injury problems. Once his speed begins to drop, he may find his career on the wane. He’s not a great technician, nor does he seem to possess the tactical intelligence to adapt his game to his shifting physiology.

Walcott's desire to discuss a new deal might well be redundant. Wenger may have already decided that this is the optimum time to put his faith in a younger man in Oxlade-Chamberlain.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.