Walcott: 'Arsenal is now bigger than Man Utd'
Walcott participated in Sky Sports' commentary before Arsenal's match against Man Utd in round four of the Premier League. Here, Micah Richards asks Walcott which club is currently more appreciated.
Walcott pointed out that Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season with 84 points, just behind champions Man City, and nine points ahead of Man Utd. "Arsenal ranked above Man Utd last season. So for me, Arsenal is now a bigger club than Man Utd," the 34-year-old former midfielder replied. "I think Arsenal are a bit more organized now."
Former Man Utd captain Keane immediately intervened and teased Walcott as "naive, inexperienced and needing to learn".
The former Arsenal striker ignored Keane's teasing when admitting: "If you consider the overall history, Man Utd is definitely bigger."
After Walcott's answer, Richards quickly asked Keane the same question. "Of course it's Man Utd, don't be stupid," the 52-year-old famous player replied directly.
At Emirates Stadium on September 3, Arsenal played an overwhelming attack, but let Man Utd take the lead thanks to Marcus Rashford's goal in the 27th minute. But right after serving, Arsenal equalized the score with a one-touch shot from captain Martin. Odegaard outside the penalty area.
After Alejandro Garnacho was denied a goal because of offside in the 89th minute, Man Utd conceded two goals in compensation. The first was Declan Rice's shot in the penalty area in the 6th minute of injury, and finally the solo shot into the far corner of Gabriel Jesus in the 11th minute of injury.
Arsenal rose to fifth with 10 points, equal to West Ham, Liverpool, Tottenham, two points behind Man City, and Man Utd dropped to 11th with six points. After the break gave way to a series of national team matches, the "Gunners" were guests of Everton on September 17, and Man Utd received Brighton on September 16 in the fifth round of the Premier League.
In 2006, Walcott joined Arsenal for $13 million - a record for a 16-year-old player at that time. Despite high expectations, Walcott could not escape the label of "English football prodigy". This player was often injured and scored 108 goals in 397 matches, winning three FA Cups and two English Super Cups.
After that, Walcott took turns playing for Everton and returned to Southampton in 2020. At the team level, Walcott attended the 2006 World Cup at the age of 17, and scored eight goals in 47 matches.
On August 18, 2023, he announced his retirement from his career, thanking all the clubs, coaches, players, and staff he worked with and played with. Afterwards, Walcott revealed that he refused invitations from Saudi Arabian clubs because he wanted to end his career with Southampton.
