Theo Walcott admits Arsenal were ‘too NICE’ during Arsene Wenger’s latter years and claims the club ‘were happy to finish fourth’ rather than challenge for the title as he bemoans their failure to beat Leicester to top spot in 2016
Theo Walcott has hit out at Arsenal‘s mentality during the latter years of Arsene Wenger‘s reign, claiming the club were happy as long as they finished fourth.
The winger, who is now back at boyhood club Southampton on loan from Everton, became a Gunners favourite after joining as a 16-year-old in 2006.
Walcott spent 12 years at the Emirates but left in 2018 without a Premier League winners’ medal to his name, having won just two FA Cups.
Theo Walcott lifts the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2017, one of two trophies he won at the Emirates
The winger believes the Gunners were too nice during Arsene Wenger’s reign as manager
And the former England star believes that Arsenal’s lack of silverware can be partly explained by the attitude of his team-mates – and that of the club.
‘We were too nice,’ he told talkSPORT. ‘Then we won a few FA Cups and got in the Champions League a lot.
‘At times, that felt like it was good enough for Arsenal. It felt like a bit of a medal. As players we wanted to win things, but the club were happy to finish fourth.’
Wenger won three titles during his first eight years in north London but failed to finish top of the league between 2004 and 2018, the year he left the club.
Walcott, pictured in 2015, believes Arsenal missed an opportunity to win the title in 2015-16
Walcott remains adamant that they should have done better, particularly during 2015-16 when they eventually finished second by surprise champions Leicester.
‘When Leicester won the league and we were the only team to beat them twice, that was the year we should’ve done something,’ he added.
‘That was the year Arsenal should’ve won it.’
Walcott, who has helped Southampton to eighth in the table after making an emotional return St Mary’s last summer, also opened up on his greatest team-mate.
‘The best team I’ve played in was when Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were on song with each other and me in there as well,’ he said.
Walcott loved playing alongside Robin van Persie (left) and Cesc Fabregas (right) at Arsenal
‘I remember one season I set up around 14 of Van Persie’s 30-odd goals. For me, them two in a team, with me as well, was one of the best. That’s including England.
‘My greatest team-mate would have to be Van Persie. For me, he was the best finisher I’ve ever seen, he was better than Thierry Henry, he made it look so easy.
‘If you gave it to him, he would score for you. He was a dream to play with, I don’t think there will be a player like him ever again.’
