According to recent reports in the Guardian, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told Theo Walcott that he is no longer a guaranteed starter for the Gunners.

In the wake of Wenger’s recent comments, Walcott should feel the need to kick on and force his way back into his managers first-team plans. It’s no secret just how difficult a task that will be, considering the incredible impact Alexis Sanchez has made at the Emirates this season.

But Walcott, who has been an excellent servant for Arsenal over the years, shouldn’t feel too aggrieved with his boss’ public comments, as he probably wouldn’t have expected to jump straight back into the first-team anyway.

Wenger told the Guardian; “Walcott can score goals but Sanchez has had the biggest offensive impact up to now. Theo’s fitness is there now but we will see game by game.”

But with the Chilean’s current muscular problem, Walcott will hope he gets the chance to deputise in Sanchez’s absence. The Arsenal manager said: “Sanchez has had a little winter break but he didn’t look right on Tuesday night. He got a knock on his knee. There was not the same intensity as before.”

To be fair to the Gunners boss, he has not ruled out the winger completely – but you can’t really compare Walcott to Sanchez, as they are two completely different players. The Chile international has obviously made a huge impression since arriving in north London, and he’s pretty much already made himself undroppable when fully fit.

Wenger’s comments may have been a rallying cry in an attempt to get Theo Walcott back to his blistering best for Arsenal. The England international, who had been out of action for 10 months, was never going to return to his best straight away – the way the ex-Southampton man plays his football, he needs to be nurtured back to first-team action with care.

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Since the pacey winger returned to the pitch, he’s only started four of his 10 games. The Gunners have won seven of those 10 encounters, and Walcott has netted three times – including what turned out to be the winner in the 2-1 home win over Leicester City.

With the Gunners still going strong in the FA Cup and Champions League as well as hunting down a top four spot in the Premier League, Wenger is going to need to utilise the majority of his squad in the upcoming months. Arsenal return to their Champions League exploits next week when they take on French side Monaco in the first-leg of the last 16 at the Emirates. Walcott will be looking to play some part in a competition he hasn’t featured in since November 2013.

Walcott, who has been at the Emirates Stadium since 2006, has enjoyed a very fruitful Arsenal career. During his time with the Gunners, he has stacked up 291 games for the north London club, netting an impressive 72 times in the process.

It’s hard to believe that Walcott is still just 25 – he seems to have been around forever, and has unquestionably been an excellent addition for Arsene Wenger over the years. But the Middlesex-born man, who has been so used to starting games of football throughout his career, may have to make his impact from the bench these days, for as long as Alexis Sanchez is around anyway.

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