Robson slams Walcott selfishness
Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson is unhappy with Theo Walcott's reluctance at signing a new contract calling him "an athlete who puts on a pair of football boots".
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
Contract talks with the England international have stalled in recent weeks as he is seeking a wage rise that Arsenal are not ready to offer. This has earned him the ire of several Arsenal fans and with just one year left on his contract, there are rumours that he might even complete a shock move away from the club.
The Daily Mail believes that Chelsea are closely monitoring the situation and could yet come in with a bid for the England winger.
But Robson is not concerned by the prospect of losing out on one of the club's speediest players as he believes that the 23-year-old has not developed in several facets of his footballing portfolio.
"It wouldn't worry me if Theo Walcott were to leave tomorrow," the former Gunners star opined on a television show.
"Theo Walcott, for me, is not a good footballer. He is an athlete who puts on a pair of football boots."
Robson even believes that Walcott is something of a hindrance as he does not run back and contribute in defence as often as other players.
"He is quick, he is fast, but when he was younger he should have been taught how to be better technically, how to find space, how to find awareness.
"He has never done that and he is a liability when he is defending.
"For Theo Walcott to want more money, I would let him go."
The Gunners have signed Lukas Podolski from Cologne so far and are expected to make further forays in the transfer market later in the summer. Arsenal are eager to tie down club captain Robin van Persie and Walcott and are expected to finalise talks after the completion of Euro 2012.