The likes of The Sun and The Mirror love nothing more than for there to be a hint of controversy and instability surrounding the future of some of Arsenal’s stars.
Just think of transfer speculation of years past, regarding the likes of Alexander Hleb, Emmanuel Adebayor, and, of course, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, in more recent times.
This summer, though, the hacks at the tabloids have been enjoying a field day with speculation regarding star striker, Robin Van Persie, and now England’s new ‘star in the ascendancy’, Theo Walcott.
Yes, that is right; Walcott has now announced that he will not consider signing a new deal with the club that put trust in him from a ridiculously young age, upon his arrival from Southampton, until RVP commits himself to a long-term future at the club.
Should Gooners be concerned, though? RVP did not exactly light up the Euros and, although he managed not to pick up an injury, he cannot be expected to enjoy another full domestic season of injury-free form for a club that has been denied his services consistently, due to his inability to stay fit.
Furthermore, with Arsenal already bringing in Lukas Podolski, albeit perhaps a few years too late, and well on the road to acquiring Giroud as well, Arsenal have managed to avoid ‘doing a Wenger’ by leaving it until the eleventh hour on transfer deadline day to bring in replacements for outgoing stars.
As for Walcott, his goal against Sweden does not make up for his glaringly inconsistent form for the Gunners, over the past couple of seasons. With Gooners opting to boo him at times, last season, and Oxlade-Chamberlain a more than adequate replacement for him in the team, in terms of pace and impact substitutions, would we really care if Walcott left for pastures new?
The Sun may like their story, but now is not the time to be afraid for Arsenal fans, even if RVP and Walcott do see their futures lying elsewhere. Find out what the bookmakers think of RVP’s future at Arsenal on the Bet365 website.
The latest in-play betting tips can be found mid-match, this summer, in the Bet365 Ray Winstone advert.