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Arsenal striker dilemma: Theo Walcott's regular offside calls may see him lose out to Olivier Giroud

New statistics suggest the pacey frontman is not using his speed effectively

Tuesday 27 October 2015 13:34 GMT

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott (Getty Images)

Theo Walcott is currently locked in a head-to-head tussle with Olivier Giroud for Arsenal’s solo striking berth and it is not going well for him if Arsene Wenger’s most recent team selection is anything to go by.

After scoring from the bench against Watford and Bayern Munich last week, Giroud was preferred to Walcott for Saturday’s evening kick-off against Everton. On his return to the starting line-up, the Frenchman did his case no damage by notching the opener in a comfortable 2-1 victory.

Giroud has now scored five league goals this season compared to Walcott’s two, despite making fewer starts and playing fewer minutes than his teammate. What’s more, these aren’t the only numbers that damage the England international’s case…

Theo Walcott's offside record (Oulala)

New statistics dug up by Oulala have totted up the number of times every Premier League player has been caught offside this season and the numbers do not make pleasant reading for the pacey frontman.

Walcott has moved too early during his team’s attacks on eight separate occasions this season, more than every other player in the league bar three.

Only Southampton’s Graziano Pelle, Tottenham Hotspur frontman Harry Kane and Swansea City’s Bafetimbi Gomis have been flagged more. The former two have been caught offside nine times each.

Gomis, meanwhile, is proving to be his generation’s very own Filippo Inzaghi, who Sir Alex Ferguson once dryly described as “born offside”.

The Swans frontman has been flagged an incredible 23 times already this term, at an average of once every 35 minutes.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Show all 22

1/22Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Petr Cech - 6 out of 10

Unsurprisingly the driving rain of north London made this a tough match for the goalkeeper, who lost control of the ball on one occasion. Once the rain stopped normal service was resumed as he commanded his penalty area and looked confident on crosses.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Hector Bellerin - 6 out of 10

Did not bomb forward with the same regularity as he often does, perhaps because he was conscious of the pace of Lennon on the counter. The winger gave Bellerin little to worry about and once more there was plenty of defensive maturity from the 20-year-old.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Gabriel - 6 out of 10

The centre-half was desperately unlucky to see Barkley’s effort deflect off him and past Cech, but otherwise this was a perfectly adequate display from Per Mertesacker’s replacement. He competed well on the rare occasions he had to, but was not often called into action.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Laurent Koscielny - 7 out of 10

Took the lead in dealing with Arsenal’s one-time scourge Romelu Lukaku and did so with notable ease. Capped another excellent display with a well-deserved goal that gave Arsenal a crucial cushion.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Nacho Monreal - 6 out of 10

Dealt confidently with the not inconsiderable threat posed by Gerard Deulofeu, setting the tone early on with tight marking and firm but fair tackling. However he got too confident as the game wore on and Deulofeu exploited his eagerness to get forward.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Francis Coquelin - 6 out of 10

His more physical skills were not always needed in a game in which Arsenal were invariably in the ascendancy. But he still has a very useful passing range , which he showed on many occasions operating from the base of Arsenal’s midfield.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Santi Cazorla - 7 out of 10

A sumptuous delivery for Koscielny’s goal was typical of the Spanish playmaker’s game. After a few insipid games he was at his creative best, pulling the strings from deep and keeping composed and calm as colleagues such as Oxlade-Chamberlain rushed to force chances.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5 out of 10

Perhaps the biggest difference between Oxlade-Chamberlain and his senior colleagues is his decision-making, and it showed today. When he should have passed he too often took the direct route, but only ever ran into traffic.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Mesut Ozil - 8 out of 10

Wenger may be right; this could be the “golden age” of Ozil. Once more the star man lived up to his billing, creating chances at will and providing an outstanding delivery for Giroud’s opener.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Alexis Sanchez - 6 out of 10

The Premier League’s Duracell bunny was running on empty for much of this game. The attitude and endeavour was still there, but he seemed too tired to dictate the outcome of the game. Arsenal will benefit greatly from the week’s rest he will enjoy.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Olivier Giroud - 8 out of 10

He loves playing against Everton, and it showed with a fifth goal in his last five against the visitors. Of course he brought physicality to attack but, after some low moments in recent months, more important was the confidence he played with. He was a bullying presence that Phil Jagielka and John Stones often struggled to deal with.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Tim Howard - 5 out of 10

Could have claimed the ball before Koscielny nodded home and his punching left a lot to be desired.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Seamus Coleman - 5 out of 10

Failed to counter-balance Galloway's defensive on the left with attacking forays of his own down the right.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

John Stones - 6 out of 10

The type of competent display we've come to expect from the England international but

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Phil Jagielka - 6 out of 10

Could've been closer to Giroud for the first goal. Forced off in the second half through injury. Ruben Funes Mori

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Brendan Galloway – 6 out of 10

Another decent display from the youngster, if only in relation to the team's poor showing.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Gareth Barry - 3 out of 10

Off the pace throughout, his performance made worse by a late needless dismissal.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

James McCarthy – 4 out of 10

Typically ineffective and untypically anxious in possession. One of his poorer showings in recent memory.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Aaron Lennon – 5 out of 10

Poor. Did little, if nothing, to justify selection over Kevin Mirallas.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Ross Barkley – 7 out of 10

His goal provided a single spark in Everton’s dim performance.

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Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Gerard Deulofeu – 6 out of 10

Noticeably improved in the second half, could have done better with a late chance to equalise.

Arsenal vs Everton player ratings

Romelu Lukaku – 5 out of 10

A largely anonymous presence until his header was cleared off the bar late on but could legitmately argue that he lacked support.

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By comparison, Walcott’s measly total of eight may not seem significant. However, he has been flagged once every 63 minutes, the second-highest ratio among the top ten offenders, behind Gomis’ astonishing and anomalous figure.

The statistics therefore suggest that Walcott is a disruptive presence up front, just not in the way that causes problems for opposing defenders.

The Arsenal man is not using his electric pace effectively and timing his runs poorly, to the detriment of both the team and his selection prospects.

The 26-year-old forward may be given a chance to win his place back on Tuesday night, when Arsenal travel to Hillsborough to play Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup.

Arsene Wenger suggested last week that Walcott was still his main striker, although he was speaking before Giroud’s selection against Everton.

"It is always hard," he said at the time. "They are top players. I consider the form, the game on the day.

"At the end of the season both will have played their share of games but at the moment it is Theo. In a few weeks, it might be Giroud. What is important is that both contribute."

Stats and Infographic supplied by fantasy football game www.oulala.com

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