Five of Theo Walcott’s finest goals for Arsenal

It feels as though he’s been around forever, but this week it is officially 10 years since Theo Walcott signed for Arsenal, and what a journey it’s been ever since.

The England international has gone on to make 320 appearances for the Gunners, notching 81 goals in his career in north London so far.

Some think he should have achieved more, while others think his pace has been an asset to Arsenal which few sides can match.

Incredibly, the former Southampton man doesn’t turn 27 for another two months, the age at which it’s widely regarded most players enter their respective peaks.

So while Theo’s best days may still be ahead of him, let’s have a look back at his most memorable goals so far…

Chelsea 2 Arsenal 1 – February 25 2007

Theo’s first Arsenal goal was a long-time coming, but when it finally came he did it in style.

Against Chelsea in the League Cup Final, Walcott latches on to an Abou Diaby through-ball, takes a couple of slick touches and slots the ball past Petr Cech. Lovely.

Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2 – February 2012

You can’t be an Arsenal legend unless you’ve had a say in the north London derby.

The Gunners were 2-0 down after 35 minutes at home to Tottenham, and a win would have sent the white half of London into an almost uncatchable lead in the duo’s Premier League battle.

Arsenal pulled it back to 3-2, but Walcott’s three-minute brace ended the contest. His first was a particularly tidy finish.

Reading 5 Arsenal 7 – 30 October 2012

This crazy League Cup match saw Arsenal 4-0 down away at Reading but it also saw Walcott at his opportune best.

With just 20 seconds of first-half stoppage time remaining, Walcott latches on to a through-ball. If he misses the game is all but over.

Of course Theo doesn’t miss. It’s 4-1 at half-time and Arsenal stage a stunning fightback. Theo would be the hero again in second-half injury-time to salvage a 4-4 draw and extra-time. Arsenal won 7-5.

Arsenal 7 Newcastle 3 – December 29 2012

A sublime goal to cap off a sublime performance.

Arsenal had run ragged against the Toon, and Walcott was on a hat-trick.

Taking a quick free-kick with Jack Wilshere, Theo waltzes through the Magpies defence, even rejects claims for a penalty, and dinks the ball over Tim Krul to cap off a stunning performance.

Arsenal 4 West Brom 1 – May 24 2015

Playing in the centre forward role, Walcott was up and running inside just five minutes against the Baggies.

Receiving the ball on an acute angle, Theo rifles a strike beyond a hapless Boaz Myhill.

Walcott would score two more to end his Premier League campaign with the match ball, before netting another in the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa a week later.

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