Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has revealed that some fans of the North London club can’t get over one thing he did in his playing days.
Theo Walcott spent twelve seasons on the books at Arsenal.
The attacker joined the North London club from Southampton as a teenager in the winter of 2006. He went on to represent the Gunners almost 400 times across all competitions, scoring 108 goals, before moving on in January 2018.
In his time at Arsenal, Walcott won two FA Cups. He shared the 2015 triumph with Mikel Arteta, who was still playing in the middle of the park for Arsenal then, before he eventually took the reins as manager in December 2019.
Arteta led Arsenal to an unexpected title challenge last season. However, the Gunners’ push to be champions crumbled in the final stretch of the campaign, and Walcott contributed to his former side’s downfall.
Arsenal fans still hurting from Theo Walcott goal
In the 32nd Premier League match of last season, Walcott was named in the Southampton side which visited the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal got off to a nightmare start against the south coast club, as Carlos Alcaraz put the visitors ahead with just a minute on the clock. Walcott then added to Arsenal’s misery as he soon added a second to double Saints’ advantage.
Arsenal did fight back, but could only draw the game 3-3. They went on to lose three of their final six matches, as Manchester City secured the league title for themselves once again.
Walcott has now stated that many Arsenal fans have found his part in their downfall last season particularly difficult to accept.
Speaking on the BBC’s Monday Night Club, the 35-year-old said: “Even some Arsenal fans to this point say ‘Theo, we can’t forgive you for that.’ I’m like, ‘really, I served you for 12/13 years, you can’t forgive me for trying to keep Saints up?’”
Arsenal now more resilient in title race
In truth, Walcott’s goal was just a small factor in the Gunners’ capitulation last season. Arsenal have shown far more resilience this time around, and are now guaranteed to still be in the title race on the final day of the campaign.
Walcott will be joining all Arsenal fans in hoping that the Gunners can go one step better than last season and claim their first Premier League title triumph in 20 years when they host Everton on Sunday.