Arsene Wenger insists Theo Walcott still has a future at the club, but he shouldn’t.

When asked about Theo Walcott’s current lack of game time and the rumours that he could leave, Wenger was adamant that the 28-year-old’s time will come.

“I do not want Theo to move on,” said Wenger.

“When you look at the number of minutes these guys have played it’s quite a big number.

“His time in the Premier League will come.

“I’ve gone into a rotation policy because we play Thursday, Sunday most of the time so at the moment he has gotless minutes in the Premier League than other competitions.”

The response is typically kind from Wenger. He’s unlikely to ever publicly admit when one of his players doesn’t have a future at the club, especially one as long-serving as Walcott.

However, there’s a feeling here of him being just a bit too lenient with the forward. The harsh reality is that his time in the Premier League shouldn’t come. Not with Arsenal, at least.

There is some wisdom to Wenger wanting to keep him. He could find himself short of two quality attackers in Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in the summer, and may feel that a reliable performer like Walcott would be a good safety net in case replacements can’t be found. It wouldn’t be the most inspiring choice he’s ever made, but one that’d have some logic to it. Whatever his flaws, Walcott knows where the back of the net is.

However, while Walcott has been a good servant for Arsenal, the time feels right for a fresh start. He’s the most limited of the squad’s attackers, good for a goal here and there but ultimately unable to contribute much to the team’s front line. The blistering pace and smart movement that made him such a threat have deserted him in recent times, while the improved work ethic that helped him start last season so strongly has disappeared altogether. Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi simply have more to offer.

At 28, the time he has left to improve is short. We’re supposed to be seeing his best, but instead, we’ve seen him fizzle out. This is as good as Walcott is ever going to be.

Meanwhile, young, exciting attackers are emerging from the academy. The need to give Walcott minutes is forcing someone like Reiss Nelson to play as a wing-back and denying him the chance to shine up front. Eddie Nketiah is another who could benefit from Walcott’s game time. Those players are the future of the club, and shouldn’t have their opportunities limited by a fifth-choice attacker who’s first team prospects dwindle every season.

For Arsenal to progress as a team, they need as competitive a squad as possible.

You have to question if Walcott still has that desire to improve and push himself. In 11 years at the club, he’s seen it all. At risk of doubting his professionalism, it wouldn’t at all surprising if he had grown just a little too comfortable with his lot. He’s past the point of needing to prove himself. Wenger has to consider if keeping him and his big wages would be worth limiting the chances of a younger player or turning down a new signing.

Walcott will have his part to play this season whenever Arsenal play in a cup. After that, though, it’s time a fresh start, for his and the club’s sake.