Thierry Henry reveals his thoughts on Arsenal’s in-form striker Theo Walcott

Thierry Henry was full of praise for Theo Walcott

THIERRY HENRY believes Arsenal no longer need to look for a striker after the emergence of Theo Walcott as a front man this season.

 

Walcott has spent the majority of his career with the Gunners on the right wing but has been used as a central striker by Arsene Wenger this season.

And the England international has repaid his manager’s faith by scoring five goals for the north London club so far this season.

His performances have been keeping Olivier Giroud on the bench and Henry believes the 26-year-old is benefiting from having a run of games in the side.

"I was saying that maybe they needed a striker in the summer to help out, but Theo Walcott has emerged as that striker,” he told Sky Sports.

“He is playing ever so well. Now there is competition for the No 9 role - Giroud is no longer on his own as the striker. 

“When Walcott is playing, he's doing his job. When Giroud is playing, he's doing his job.

 

Henry and Walcott embrace during the Frenchman's second spell at Arsenal

“What it does is bring a healthy competition. When I used to play for Arsenal, I knew I had only 60 minutes to perform because there was Dennis Bergkamp, Nwankwo Kanu or Sylvain Wiltord on the bench. I knew I had to perform.

"The difference with Theo Walcott this season is that he's having a run of games. In the past, Arsene Wenger would have played him as a No 9, then put him back on the wing for five or six games, then back on the bench. 

“But he's having a little run now. Giroud is doing the same. You need to have a run of games in order to perform.

"It's important that Walcott goes out there with the confidence of the manager, but he also needs to go out there and play hard. You can be funny, smile and be a nice guy, but if you don't perform you'll be on the bench or leave the football club."