Getting Ahead of Ourselves: What We Really Learned About Arsenal

Theo Walcott.

That is what most Arsenal-related headlines have read in some way or another since Saturday. The hype that always loomed over an underproducing Walcott has seemed to part ways since bagging a "brilliant" hat trick against Blackpool on Saturday afternoon.

Walcott was in fine form Saturday. He was finding space, reeking havoc on a defenseless Blackpool back-line, making proper decisions, and showing his class in front of goal.

It would seem as if Walcott's coarse critics have been finally been put to rest.

However, the "Walcott has Arrived" headline has been tossed around so much that some are starting to believe this is Walcott's time to shine just after one impressive match.

We have seen it time and time again. Walcott's late run against AC Milan, his hat trick against Croatia, his late cameo against Barcelona, and even his cheeky chip at Villarreal. All have been moments that made those holding their breath almost finally gasp for air.

Unfortunately, these impressive moments have been foiled by a string of inconsistent performances.

Thankfully, Walcott and Wenger—as if Wenger ever would—have not jumped on the Theo Walcott bandwagon. 

Positives can and should be taken from Walcott's performance. That being said, we must remember who Walcott was running against: a newly promoted Blackpool with just 10 men. Not to mention that it was a perfect, sunny, Saturday afternoon on which Arsenal typically terrorizes any visitor that comes to the Emirates.

After the match, Wenger praised a "maturing" Walcott, which to be fair, is exactly what Walcott will continue to be this season—a player who can hopefully string together more consistent performances and make less mistakes.

Cleaning up his performances should be the first item on Walcott's to-do list. He is a player undoubtedly blessed with fantastic pace and (generally) cool finishing. However, his decision making is amateurish at best and his passing can be spotty.

Retaining possession, connecting passes, and finding a way to regularly get into dangerous positions is going to be what takes Walcott to that ever-eluding World Class status as a player.

Once he masters those small but vital points, performances like the one against Blackpool will be a regularity for Walcott.

Credit should be given to Walcott, although the euphoria from Saturday's match should also be shared by Arsenal's midfield orchestrator, and I am not talking about Fabregas.

I'm talking about Tomas Rosicky.

Rosicky played as much like Fabregas as anyone could. He was spot on with his decision making, connected simple yet effective passing, was stable on the defensive side of the ball, and was inspirational after coming on as a sub against Liverpool the prior weekend.

With Rosicky's age and experience, he can provide the other set of creative eyes and penetrating passes that unravel defenses across the Premier League. Not to mention he has a small eye for goal from distance. 

After 18 months of injury and a spotty return last term, it is promising to see a sharpening Tomas Rosicky. He is slowly finding his old groove and starting to add another consistent and creative threat from midfield. 

Should he remain injury free this season, Rosicky will provide a major boost in Wenger's title hopes.