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Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League group B match against FC Schalke 04 at Veltins-Arena on November 6, 2012 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (GETTY)
Arsenal are struggling to fill the golden boots of Robin van Persie but they can claim to have Manchester United's equivalent of Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez.
France international Olivier Giroud has failed to live up to the high expectations of the former Arsenal captain.
But Arsenal's contract rebel Walcott is turning out to be their missing link.
It is a similar situation to what United's Mexican star Javier Hernandez faced at Old Trafford.
He was considered excess baggage by Sir Alex Ferguson before his sudden transformation since coming off the bench to score a brace against Braga in the Champions League.
Chicharito also scored a controversial winner in the volatile Premier League clash against Chelsea, which earned him a rare start in the Cup return against the Blues.
Walcott has been sidelined by Arsene Wenger since his refusal to sign a new contract but came off the bench the score a spectacular hat-trick in the 7-5 Cup triumph against Reading.
His stock has risen since but started for only the fourth time this season in the crunch Champions League return against Schalke because Aaron Ramsey was injured.
Walcott proved his recent injury is behind him on 18 minutes with the opening goal before France's Olivier Giroud added the second on 26 minutes with a header from a Lukas Podolski cross.
Walcott has every right to demand a regular starting spot after scoring his 50th goal for Arsenal in Germany.
“I just want to play and, hopefully, I can have a run in the team. I feel I fully deserve it," the England winger was quoted in The Sun (https://bit.ly/PVDPtj).
Off the pitch, Walcott has seen talks over a new contract drag on.
When asked if he has been frozen out because of ongoing negotiations, the 23-year-old England winger added: “You’ll have to ask the manager. I can’t answer that.
“I just want to play for this team and hopefully we’ll win the Premier League.”
Wenger also praised his England star Walcott who looked dangerous throughout on his return.
"Theo did well, he had a positive attitude, he was the one you always felt who could have decided the game and it wasn't an accident that he had a chance to win the game in the last minute," said the French boss.
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