With Danny Welbeck injured, Arsenal may count themselves lucky that Theo Walcott wants to play centrally.
The Englishman will be needed in central areas more often now as the most likely alternative to Olivier Giroud, but an unconvincing performance at St. James’ Park has raised more doubts about his ability to play down the middle.
Having sold Pedro to Chelsea over the course of the summer, Mundo Deportivo (per Sport Witness) are now claiming that Walcott is a candidate to replace the Spanish winger.
Having signed a new four year deal recently, Arsenal are highly unlikely to entertain any offers for the goalscorer. Likewise, Walcott is clearly happy at Arsenal having penned the contract, which has reportedly put him on the £140k a week also earned by Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez.
The Catalan newspaper value Walcott between €20m (£15m) and €25m (£18m) which, simply, won’t even be close to tempting Arsenal into a deal. The forward has tested Barcelona in the past with his blistering pace but he isn’t at the same level as Pedro technically or in the way he reads the game.
Barcelona now play a more direct style than they used to under Pep Guardiola, making Walcott a better fit, but with Lionel Messi playing on the right and Luis Suárez up front there’s just no way this seems like a possible deal.