5 longest-serving players in the current Arsenal squad

#1 Theo Walcott - 11 years and 1 month

Walcott in 2017

Theo Walcott, Arsenal’s faithful servant. He made his debut for the Gunners as a teenager on the first day of the 2006-07 season against Aston Villa. When Walcott signed for the club as a 16-year-old he was potentially brilliant, a lot was expected from the exciting young talent.

Former England footballer Matt Le Tissier believed the pacy forward would go on to be a better player than Wayne Rooney, yet in all honesty, Walcott’s career has been quite mediocre in comparison.

But credit must be given to the 28-year-old who has amassed close to 400 appearances for Arsenal. Only Patrick Vieira has played more times under Arsene Wenger (402). In February 2017 Walcott became the 18th player to score 100 goals for Arsenal.

Walcott in 2006

Now into his 13th season with the gunners, the England international is fighting for a place in the starting line-up. Walcott has averaged only 15 Premier League starts per season for Arsenal since signing for them and now with the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette in this crucial World-Cup season, the lightning-quick footballer will have his work cut out for him.

Walcott did not make the final squad for the previous two World-Cups after being the surprise pick in 2006 but the Arsenal boss has backed Theo for a big season to keep his World-Cup dreams alive.

The winger is going to have to fight his way into Wenger’s starting eleven before he can make it into Gareth Southgate’s England eleven. But one thing is for sure, every Gooner out there is backing Theo Walcott as they have been doing for so many years in the past.