Do unto TW14 as you did TH14.

I was in the process of writing an article on Wenger's use of Theo Walcott when the news revealed that Capello had left Theo out of the world cup. Some say its good for him, he needs to reset and regain his game. I for one say, bull*****, his game has never left him, his deployment has been awful.
When Theo was shining at Southampton, he was known for speed and most importantly his impeccable timing of his runs. He was played as a striker and he blossomed.

Since his move to Arsenal, he has been used mostly as a winger, and in a super sub role. That is a mistake, just as it was for Thierry Henry's Juventus days as a winger. Worse still for Walcott, he has been deployed as a winger on a team that is awful in the air. Even further worse, as a winger, Theo plays on a team that even if he cut back the ball, his teammates are reluctant to take a shot. They prefer to walk the ball into the net against real men with mortgages to pay. The result is 18 goals and 20 assists for a Theo who scored in every other game for Southampton and 100 goals in a season for his secondary school.

Despite being played outside his element in the guise that he is learning defensive duties and buffing up physically, Theo has managed to show us on several occasions why he is so special. For one, he is not only an arsenal forward but when he is playing, he is an extra defender just by his presence. Teams have to respect him and usually hold a defender back to accommodate his threat. Ask Jermaine Jenas if you don't know what am talking about.

Secondly, the run against Liverpool twice, the run against Milan, against barcelona are only possible through special talent. Theo best moment was not recorded on video and happened while training with the England squad 1 year ago. The English players who witnessed it testify that Theo blazed through the entire defense in a fashion they had never seen before. David Beckham was present and the boyish grin on his face as he recounted Theo's move told me he saw something very very special.

With that said here is my plea to Wenger. Your plans for Theo should be as follows. Play 442 and have Theo play behind the main striker. The main striker should be able to hold the ball, that is, he cannot be Bendtner. Let Walcott roam around the line freely. Do not assign Walcott defensive duties because his very presence forces the opposing team to be defensive. Remember what you did for henry when you rescued him from the wing, remember? Do unto TW14 as you did TH14.