Arsenal have been linked with a predictable move for Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus as a replacement for unsettled star Theo Walcott this summer by the Daily Mirror.
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Arsenal transfer rumours
With Walcott confirmed via his Twitter account that contract discussions have not yet started, that has naturally sent the rumour mill into overdrive.
There have been no contract talks as yet and my current focus is not on contracts but on doing my best for Arsenal FC.
— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) March 26, 2015
On the face of it, a move for Reus makes perfect sense for the Gunners. Walcott is injury-prone and under-performing, generally looking like a talented player who won’t ever fulfil the potential seen in him as a youngster.
And yet, it seems ridiculous for Arsenal to be ridding themselves of one of their only players who can provide what he does, whilst looking to bring in another attacking midfielder in Reus – whose had his fair share of injuries himself.
Remember how often Arsenal have been slammed for lacking a ‘Plan B’? Walcott is that Plan B – even if he isn’t always in the team, his addition as a substitute against tired defenders is a superb weapon for Arsene Wenger to have in his squad. Few in the world have such blistering pace and such great off-the-ball movement as the 26-year-old.
Arsenal would lose a key outlet if they let Walcott go and brought in another player all too similar to what they already have. Sure, Reus might be better than Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky, Aaron Ramsey and others, but teams are about balance, and it’s hard to see the German international providing that.
Instead – he’d clog up an already overindulged attacking midfield area, while Walcott’s ridiculous pace out wide maximises the passing ability of the current playmakers. Arsenal should forget about adding another superstar, and concentrate on tying Walcott down to a new deal, and getting the best out of him.