Mercurial Theo Walcott sums up Arsenal’s woes

If any single player could sum up Arsenal in recent years it would be their mercurial striker Theo Walcott, who for every step forward appears to have taken another step backwards.

However manager Arsene Wenger retains faith the player, who is still only 20 years old. "I am not worried about Walcott," he said in the build up to Sunday's titanic showdown with Chelsea. But he could have been speaking about his entire squad when he added that "at the moment he is not completely himself."

Walcott's story is classic Arsenal. Signed as a 16-year-old of great promise he has shown glimpses of what he is capable of for both club and country, but has yet to blossom into the player he was expected to become.

It was Walcott's amazing hat-trick for England in Zagreb in 2008 that set the tone for Fabio Capello's impressive World Cup qualifying campaign. But now there is every chance that the player will not be on the plane to South Africa with the rest of the squad.

His fall from grace is not entirely his own fault - once again this season he has struggled for fitness, but that is becoming a recurring theme. He's visited the Arsenal treatment room with back, knee, hamstring and rib problems this term, and has made just five first team starts. Last season he missed much of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

The 20-year-old is in contention for a place in Arsene Wenger's starting line-up against Chelsea this Sunday. And although the manager believes Walcott can finish the season strongly he has warned the fans not to expect too much. And anyone who saw his toothless comeback displays, against Stoke in the FA Cup and as a sub against United last week, will heed his advice.

"What you can't expect from Walcott at the moment is what he cannot give you," said the Arsenal boss. "He needs some time to play and come back to full fitness. He has only played a few games this season.

"If he stays injury-free now, he will have a good end of season."

Despite the caution it would be typical of Walcott and Arsenal if he orchestrated a famous victory for the Gunners on Sunday. ·