Why 20 Goals Is a Realistic Aim for Arsenal's Theo Walcott in 2015/16 EPL Season

If Theo Walcott had designs on making the centre-forward spot at Arsenal his own, he ought to be aiming to score more than 20 goals in the forthcoming campaign. If he can achieve that, he will finally prove his worth as a central striker to Arsene Wenger and the Gunners faithful.

Thus far, Walcott has amassed 76 goals in 302 Arsenal appearances. His Welsh team-mate Aaron Ramsey is backing him to reach a century during 2015/16. He told Arsenal.com:

"

He is a goalscorer - he has a load of goals for Arsenal and I think he can carry that on and maybe get into the 100 Club this year.

He’s a very strong character. He believes in his abilities and he definitely has a lot of qualities to offer.

He can finish - one of the hardest things to do in football is to put the ball in the back of the net and he’s done it on numerous occasions for Arsenal. Hopefully he can continue doing that.

"

Walcott would need 24 goals to reach that commendable landmark. That won’t be easy, but it’s certainly possible. If he is to arrive at that milestone, there will be two major determining factors.

The first is where he plays. Despite his professed desire to be deployed through the middle, Walcott has spent the majority of his career playing out wide. However, it seems Wenger is finally willing to accept Walcott’s wishes and play him through the middle. The England international started the final two competitive matches of 2014/15 as a No. 9, and also started centrally in the Community Shield match against Chelsea. 

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Playing in the middle will guarantee Walcott chances. With the likes of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Ramsey providing the incisive through balls, Walcott has the speed to get away from any centre-half. The onus is then on him to provide the composed finishing to finish the job.

That’s an area where’s undoubtedly improved with maturity. Walcott was once prone to panic in promising positions; now he’s generally calm in front of goal. That much is evident in the variety of finishes he is capable of providing: While he formerly favoured a simple side-foot, he is now equally comfortable opting for power or even a delicate chip. If Walcott gets an opportunity to play regularly within the width of the penalty box, he will score goals.

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The second big issue is Walcott’s fitness. Through the majority of his career, he has been dogged by a succession of injury problems. Another prolonged absence would severely hamper his chances of reaching the 20-goal mark.

If he can stay fit and stay central, Walcott has every chance of finishing the season with his highest ever goalscoring tally. The competition from Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck will be intense, but Wenger’s selection at Wembley suggests the sprightly Walcott has got out of the blocks quickest. It’s now up to him to maintain his place in the striking hierarchy.

Back in 2012/13, Walcott became just the sixth player of Arsene Wenger’s two-decade reign to reach 20 goals. In 2015/16, he’ll be determined to go even better.

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.