Chris Sutton isn’t a fan of Theo Walcott, that was obvious before Arsenal’s goalless draw with Red Star Belgrade.
A year ago, when Walcott was in half-decent form for Arsenal, Sutton wasn’t convinced and said the winger was “neither clever nor creative” and urged England manager Gareth Southgate to drop him.
Walcott’s form didn’t last, he lost his place in the England squad and is now restricted to cup appearances for Arsenal. He was captain for the Gunners’ bore draw with Red Star on Thursday and his old pal was on punditry duty. The match was so underwhelming, and Walcott’s performance so insipid, that Sutton ended up questioning his purpose as an Arsenal player.
Sutton, who generally has the demeanour of a man forced to sit through a goalless draw, probably focused on the non-performance of Walcott because there were so few talking points from the Europa League game. The former Celtic and Blackburn Rovers striker didn’t say anything that hasn’t already been said about the Arsenal winger over the last 11 years, but he labelled him a “choker” and suggested he take his talents to a mid-table Premier League team.
“He hasn’t improved anywhere near enough,” Sutton said on Eir Sport in Ireland.
“He burst onto the scene, came from Southampton, and I think he’s flattered to deceive for years. How uninspiring must it be for the Arsenal players seeing him, as captain, leading you? He’s not captain material – the 10 other players are far more captain material than him. I’m really disappointed with him – he’s a choker, he doesn’t want to show for the ball.”
Sutton went on to say that Walcott “has had his day at Arsenal” and he should leave the club, because he’s not going to get a first-team chance in the Premier League.
You can watch him here:
"He hasn't improved anywhere near enough" – @chris_sutton73 says Theo Walcott is not 'captain material' & "Has had his day at Arsenal". #AFC pic.twitter.com/rIcf469AbZ
— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 2, 2017
