Theo Walcott, who is set to represent the England XI in this year's 20th anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF at London Stadium on May 31, feels there is more to come from Bukayo Saka at Arsenal this season
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MARCH 11: Noni Madueke of Arsenal reacts with Bukayo Saka as he enters the pitch as a substitute during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Arsenal FC at BayArena on March 11, 2026 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka was subbed off on Wednesday(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Theo Walcott admits Bukayo Saka has had an "indifferent season" - but he's still backing the 24-year-old marksman to fire Arsenal to silverware this term.
The England international winger is still yet to hit the 10-goal mark (nine) in all competitions and he was hooked for Noni Madueke, who won a late penalty to bail Arsenal out of trouble, after an hour at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Still, Walcott maintains confidence his compatriot will prove his worth during the business end of the campaign after he recently penned a new bumper contract extension at the Emirates Stadium worth in excess of £300,000 a week.
He said of Saka: "I think he's been actually a little bit indifferent this year, but you can see signs of him picking up at the right time now. You'd like to think the most important players shine when it really matters but we also forget how young he still is and how much he's achieved already at this point.
"Not only that, what he's also had to deal with outside of football with England and everything but he's such a role model on and off the field. I think it's okay to have a bad day, absolutely fine and generally, he's started to pick up form at the right time which is a good sign.
"Madueke has actually helped with that, I think he's pushing Bukayo and he's needed that. Saka is exceptional and I'm so pleased Arsenal have worked so hard to keep him."
Walcott, who scored 108 goals in 397 appearances for the Gunners, does not like comparing generations because he feels football has changed. However, in his mind, Arsene Wenger remains the godfather of Arsenal because of his longevity and sustained success in north London.
Nonetheless, Walcott believes Mikel Arteta could usurp the iconic Frenchman's achievements this season if he was to win the Quadruple. He said when asked how this Gunners side compares to teams of the past: "I'd say the current squad, as in the whole squad, is better than the Invincibles.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Amazon Prime Video UEFA Champions League pundit Theo Walcott looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Newcastle United FC and Qarabag FK at St James' Park on February 24, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Theo Walcott is confident that Bukayo Saka will bounce back(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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However, it's still so hard to beat the Invincibles because of what they achieved. "Yes if this team wins the Quadruple, I would start looking at Arteta as 'Arsenal,' and I used to always think of Wenger as Arsenal.
"That's how highly I rate Mikel. It's really hard to compare all the different generations, they're all different, even the coaching styles. All three generations - the Invincibles, the sides I played in and the current team - are all great in their own right, I personally believe.
"We managed to finish in the Champions League spots endlessly and nowadays, some teams would bite your hand off just to get in the top-four, which just shows how competitive we were back then."
Walcott, who announced his retirement from the game back in August 2023, is looking to fire the England XI to glory when they square off against a star-studded World XI in the 20th anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF on Sunday 31st May at the London Stadium.
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