Theo Walcott is no longer an Arsenal player.
After 12 years with the club, the 28-year-old joined Everton earlier this week – much to the disappointment of (most) Arsenal supporters.
Having taken part in his first training session with his new club, Walcott faced the media at Finch Farm on Friday, where he thanked former manager, Arsene Wenger.
Speaking about the move, Walcott revealed that it happened so quickly that he had been forced to make a late-night visit to Arsernal’s training facilities to collect his belongings. He commented:
“When I found that I was coming here, I had to go there at night to pick up all my stuff in bin bags. It was surreal.”
You’d think they would leave out a nice container or two for the man.
He later added that he intended to revisit his former teammates to say goodbye properly at some point in the near future.
“I’m sure, speaking to the gaffer, I’ll get some time to go down. I’ve had so many messages to try and catch up with people. It’s been quite overwhelming.”
1️⃣2️⃣ years of @theowalcott memories – but which is your standout? pic.twitter.com/tbiBnwjXg4
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 17, 2018
After revealing his frustration at not being able to play regularly under Wenger this season, Walcott expressed his gratitude to him for bringing him to Arsenal as a 16-year-old.
“I’ve always had so much respect from the manager. Always, for any player, when you’re not playing you’re going to be upset but you have to try and dig deep and try and push to get into that position. For whatever reason that didn’t happen this year. That’s why I’ve moved on.
“I was there since I was 16. For him to bring in a young player and show that belief, I can’t thank him enough for that.”
