The Maturing of Theo Walcott, The Hat-Trick Hero from Arsenal's 6-0 Win Over Blackpool
It is a curious coincidence that Theo Walcott's career to date can be characterized by hat-tricks. It was the young man's astonishing return on a cold night in Zagreb against much fancied Croatia which led to England taking control of their World Cup qualifying group. Walcott's contribution on that day meant that even though he was subsequently injured for a while, England coasted comfortably to World Cup qualification with a goal column which was among the best in the European qualifying round.
Dropped from the World Cup squad after making a comeback from a line of injuries by the ruthless Italian Fabio Capello, Walcott has had to show that he has some amazing recovery powers to make his case for a place in the England national team. After all, the national side needs its young players to come through after a dismal performance in South Africa at the 2010 World Cup.
It is in this backdrop that Walcott scored a scintillating hat-trick against Premier League new-boys Blackpool as Arsenal taught the men in orange a lesson in how the world's most marketable league works. Walcott scored his first after a slick, flowing Gunners move arrived at the Englishman's feet and he slotted the ball in emphatic fashion. His second goal was reminiscent of the man whose number he wears on his Arsenal jersey. Like the Thierry Henry of old, Walcott swivelled after collecting the ball in the box and stroked the ball in, completely wrong-footing the goalkeeper. In order to complete his hat-trick, Walcott opted to use his left foot as he ghosted in through a couple of Blackpool players before unleashing an unstoppable shot. Granted, Walcott's hat-trick was against the minnows of the league, but this could, nonetheless, be the beginning of a new stage in Walcott's maturity.
The young striker/winger has had to endure the glare of the media since he burst onto the scene in 2006 when he was a shock, fantastical selection for the English World Cup squad. Even though he did not play a part in that ill-fated campaign, subsequent seasons saw his stock rise. In a crucial Champions League fixture against Liverpool, Walcott announced his coming to the world when he made a mazy run across half the football field before feeding then Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor to slot in a magnificent goal. That milestone was forgotten after anonymous displays in between. Then that memorable night in Zagreb happened to Walcott. And now this hat-trick against Blackpool.
What can be inferred by Walcott's career so far is that he is plagued by inconsistency. The high points of his career have come with measurably long gaps in between. But this game against Blackpool could be the turnaround in fortunes that the Englishman needs. Walcott has been accused of lacking a final ball as well as a lack of footballing intelligence on the field. He has also been harshly labelled as a one-trick pony who can run into innumerable dead alleys with his searing pace. While all of those allegations contain a little bit of the truth, to definitely label Walcott as any one of those things would be doing the young man injustice.
Granted, Walcott produced this performance against an inferior opposition, but it is these sorts of displays that can give him the confidence to do better and bigger things against more illustrious opponents. There will be sterner tests for the 21 year old, but this is a good start to a season which could be the making of England's best new thing.
With Adam Johnson, Joe Hart and James Milner performing at a very high level, (Newcastle's) Andy Carroll striking a brutal hat-trick and Walcott weaving his magic at the Emirates, this is a very good sign for England.
Theo Walcott has arrived. Now it will be interesting to note if he can improve his consistency and keep it up throughout the season while staying clear of that Arsenal curse called injuries. If he can, Arsenal have a chance for the league title.
As for the rest of us, it presents a prospect to watch the maturing of the next big superstar.
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