Arsenal - Theo Walcott
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Former Arsenal and England striker Theo Walcott has weighed in on Arsenal’s interest in bringing one of the most sought after attacking midfielders in England to the Emirates Stadium before the close of this summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta is reportedly poised to make a few more additions to the already very vibrant Arsenal squad before the trip to Old Trafford for their Premier League first game on Sunday.
The Gunners have been in the race for the signature of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze for the longest time since the beginning of this summer transfer window, but former Arsenal great Theo Walcott has some reservations about the move.
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Speaking in his debut as a pundit for Sky Sports Super Sunday coverage recently, Walcott argued that Eze might be better off rejecting the Gunners’ interest if he wants to guarantee himself a spot in England’s World Cup squad next summer.
Eze, who has been linked with both Arsenal and Tottenham, has a £68 million release clause in his contract with Palace that remains active until Friday.
Walcott believes that the pressure of playing for Arsenal, a team challenging for the title, might not suit Eze’s playing style.
“I think the big question or the big thing we’ve got to look at is that it is World Cup year,” Walcott said. “As a player, if it’s a World Cup year, I’m thinking, ‘I’m going to play consistently for Palace this year’.”
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Walcott added that Eze’s maverick style, which allows him to take risks and play freely at Palace, might not be suited to the expectations at Arsenal. “I think he’s a player that can take those risks at Palace. I don’t think he will get that at Arsenal.”
Eberechi Eze & Bukayo Saka
Eberechi Eze & Bukayo Saka on duty for the England National Team (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Despite acknowledging that Eze would “100 per cent” improve Arsenal, Walcott advised the forward to prioritize his World Cup aspirations. “If he has a good season at Palace, he will go to the World Cup, I’m pretty sure of that… then what other teams will have a look at him after that?”
Walcott at the same time praised Arsenal’s new signing, Viktor Gyokeres, saying that the Swede might prove to be the missing piece of the puzzle for the Gunners.
However, Walcott doesn’t rule out the possibility of Gyokeres starting on the bench for Arsenal’s opening match against Manchester United, suggesting that Kai Havertz might get the nod instead.
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