3) Positive: Good scoring record
A clinical finisher who rarely lets the team down when through on goal, Walcott has made a claim for playing up front instead of out wide with a good scoring return of seven goals in very limited playing time last season, including a hat-trick on the final day of the Premier League season and a well-taken opening goal in the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa. Prior to last season, Walcott also had his best scoring return of 21 goals in all competitions in 2012/13, when he was used up front and out wide to good effect. Of course, it remains to be seen how good a striker he would be over a longer period, as his injuries have often disrupted him from getting a clear run in the side, while increased competition for places meant he was mainly used from the bench last season.