Theo Walcott pledges Everton goals after £20m move

This was not how Theo Walcott had planned it. There he was on Tuesday night, at Arsenal’s training base, with a couple of bin bags in his hand and aware the clock was ticking.

With a medical scheduled on Merseyside the following morning and his £20million transfer to Everton progressing, Walcott had to grab his boots quickly and head north.

Other than two bemused security guards, there was nobody around to say goodbye. 

Everton’s new £20m signing Theo Walcott speaks to the media at his unveiling on Friday

Walcott has completed the move from Arsenal and links up with Sam Allardyce at Goodison

Walcott has completed the move from Arsenal and links up with Sam Allardyce at Goodison

The England international pledged to deliver goals for his new club and could make his debut in their home fixture against West Bromwich on Saturday

The England international pledged to deliver goals for his new club and could make his debut in their home fixture against West Bromwich on Saturday

Walcott scored 19 goals for Arsenal last season, including 10 in the Premier League

Walcott scored 19 goals for Arsenal last season, including 10 in the Premier League

Everton fixtures 

All Premier League

Saturday West Brom (H)

January 31 Leicester City (H)

February 3 Arsenal (A)

February 10 Crystal Palace (H)

February 24 Watford (A)

March 3 Burnley (A) 

After 397 appearances and 108 goals, he did not want his 12-year relationship with Arsenal to end in such a rush. But he also knew the moment was right to leave, and Everton’s invitation was not to be missed.

‘There was a period last season when the starts weren’t coming any more,’ he explained. ‘We had that game at Crystal Palace (which Arsenal lost 3-0) and I think it was after that. I am not going to tell you what was said to (Arsene Wenger). He had respect for me and how my feelings were developing.

‘That’s why I felt it was time to go. I wish the club all the best. There has been quite a lot of negativity around the place but I’m an Everton player now and my concern is being here and performing well.’

Walcott’s last start in the Premier League was on April 5 and Sam Allardyce, his new manager, said: ‘I’ve no doubt about his hunger. Theo insisted to Arsene he needed to let him go. I don’t think Arsene wanted to lose a player of his quality but his frustration at the lack of football was his breaking point.’

Walcott, who has signed a deal to 2021 worth £110,000 a week, looked revitalised, aware of the need to prove himself again. There will be an interested spectator in the crowd against West Bromwich on Saturday — England head coach Gareth Southgate — and it will be intriguing to see how much he can improve an Everton team that has been feeble as an attacking force.  

Walcott had struggled for game time in Arsene Wenger's side this season before his move

Walcott had struggled for game time in Arsene Wenger’s side this season before his move

With Aaron Lennon agreeing a deal with Burnley, Walcott’s role will be to attack from the right, to provide speed and guile, and ensure the second half of the season at least provides substance to Everton’s ambition of getting back into the top six and, one day, fighting for honours.

‘It is not going to happen overnight,’ said Walcott, who is relishing the chance to link up with Wayne Rooney. ‘I won’t put too much pressure on me straight away but I know I have to work hard. That’s what the manager demands.

‘I’m very ambitious. I don’t see it as a step down, I see it as an opportunity to step forward and help the club get to where it should be and I believe can be.

‘The players they can attract, the new stadium, everything seems to be in place for the club to push on. I want to be a part of that.’

Apart from Burnley, Everton are the lowest scorers in the top half of the Premier League this season — with just 25 goals in 23 games — but Walcott plans to address that issue. 

He added: ‘I’ll be judged on goals and I was pleased with my goals last season. That’s what I want to bring into this team: the goals, the assists.’



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