Although it was far from a spectacular performance from Theo Walcott against Lincoln City, the forward was one of Arsenal’s best players.
From the get-go, the 27-year-old looked like the most likely to score, even having an early shot pushed onto the post by Lincoln’s goalkeeper.
The England international’s passing wasn’t exactly accurate and he only racked up a pass completion rate of 71% in the first half. However, although his stats were ‘worse’ than Alexis Sanchez’s, he still looked the better player.
The team looked sluggish but at least Theo was attempting to look busy.
Sure enough, it was Theo to put Arsenal 1-0 ahead just before halftime. Despite the goal being deflected and the Gunners putting in nothing more than a lucklustre showing in the first half, it was what the team needed going in at the break.
12 – Theo Walcott has now scored the same number of FA Cup goals for Arsenal as @IanWright0 did (12). Hitman.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 11, 2017
The goal meant Theo equalised Ian Wright’s FA Cup goal record. Not an easy achievement at all and one he’ll be proud of.
Although he did appear to run out of steam towards the end of the second half, Theo had a total of six shots (three on target), which was the most out of any other player on the pitch except for Aaron Ramsey who also had six; a 77% pass complete rate – 6% up on his first half performance – won one dribble and one aerial duel.
It’s Theo’s fifth FA Cup goal this season in three matches and while two of those teams have been non-League, Arsenal can only beat who’s in front of them. Plus, his hat-trick was against Southampton.
Overall, a solid performance from the forward and one of the most encouraging out of the whole team. His goal in the first half gave the team something tangible to build upon in the second and he was professional from the start.
Stats via Who Scored and Transfermarkt.