Premier League giants Arsenal thrashed Basel 2-0 in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) played on Wednesday, September 28th. The Gunners put up an impressive performance during the night, with Theo Walcott being the outstanding talent.
Walcott got the brace of the night, making the first time he scored a double in a UCL game in almost a decade. Only ex-Gunners Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry hav scored more goals in the UCL. Walcott has been in good form in recent weeks, proving naysayers that Coach Arsene Wenger made a good bargain to retain him after disappointments in the past.
“It’s not the chat that makes you score goals. Theo assessed well where he stands and rectified well what he had to add to his game. It’s 95% down to him,” Wenger said on the attitude of Walcott this season. The Englishman revived his career by employing a personal trainer – Bradley Simmonds, to stay fit. He claims he has been working on many other areas to remain productive. He is likely set to get a call-up to the competitive English team even with the turmoil ongoing due to Sam Allardyce’s sack. England face Malta next month with Under 23 boss Gareth Southgate the interim manager.
“The best recommendation [for an England recall] is his performances. It’s difficult to ignore him if you see him playing like this, but I will leave that to Southgate,” Wenger said trying to sell his striker to the national team. Basel is 13 points clear in the Swiss League, but they were humbled by Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez, Alex Iwobi, Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil, and Walcott combined well to torment the opposition.
“We know exactly how we want to play football. That demands complete focus, some leadership inside the squad and some humility,” Wenger added. The win sends Arsenal to the top of the table with Paris St-Germain.
