Should Walcott forget about being a striker for Arsenal?

After Theo Walcott enjoyed his best ever season with Arsenal last time around, expectations were high that he would carry on in the same vein and perhaps do even better this year. Well it hasn’t really happened for the 24-year old forward so far this season, for club or country, and he is starting to take flak again. Former England, Man United and Man City winger Peter Barnes has claimed in a report in the Express, that Theo’s problem is his desire to be a striker rather than an out-and-out wide man. He also claims that he could make Theo a much better player in no time. Barnes said, “I keep on hearing that he wants to be a striker, and his idol was Thierry Henry. Forget it, he;s never going to be a Thierry Henry. “I feel a bit sorry for Theo. If I had the chance I would ask him about his coaching at Arsenal. Does anyone take him to one side and discuss the art of wing play? “I would only need five minutes with him. I would make him a better player. I would give him more confidence – maybe there is a lack of confidence. I would tell him he’s a right winger and not a centre forward. He is not going to be a Thierry Henry.” So, Gooners, is he right? There is certainly an issue, although I think he is judging Theo too much on the England game in Ukraine. The game before against Moldova, Walcott played well, set up a goal and was a threat all night. Also, to be a winger pure and simple does not really suit Arsenal’s 4-3-3 formation. Theo may not have got off the mark for Arsenal yet, but he was the club’s top scorer last season, and he is a confidence player in front of goal. It took good goalkeeping from Sunderland’s Westwood to deny him on Saturday, and hopefully he will score against Marseille tomorrow. I think the goals will start to flow once he gets the first. Do you agree?