Can he net 15-20 goals this season?

Theo Walcott is prepared to start the new season with his Arsenal future still unresolved.

The England international has entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates, with talks over a new deal yet to get underway.

Arsenal are believed to want to resolve the matter with the 26-year-old one way or another as they do not want to risk losing him on a free next summer.

On his future, Walcott recently said:

‘My agent has talked to the club. I enjoy playing for Arsenal and so I am letting them crack on with things while I continue playing football.

‘I’ll be comfortable even if it hasn’t been sorted before the season starts.’

The last time the winger hesitated putting pen to paper over a new deal was because he wanted assurances from Arsene Wenger that he would play a more central role upfront.

But this time around it seems Walcott is happy to play anywhere along the front three:

‘The front three tend to change around. Everyone can do that job at Arsenal so it’s not a problem.’

Last season, Theo netted just seven goals in all competitions, three of which came on the penultimate Premier League fixture at home against West Brom and another in the FA Cup final win against Aston Villa.

And although he missed a majority of last season through injury, Walcott is aiming to at least double his goal tally this term

‘I didn’t want last season to end.

‘I haven’t set a target for this season but as a striker-winger you need to be looking at 15 or 20 goals. That would be a good start.’

Can Walcott hit 15-20 goals for Arsenal this season?

He is more than capable of doing so, that’s for sure. But he needs to work on his composure if he wants to hit his target(s).

However, the stats don’t lie. In only one out of his nine years at the club has Theo managed to hit over 20 goals for Wenger’s side. His deployment on the wing rather than in the centre-forward role has contributed to this, but he has shown in the past that he has the pace and movement to get into goal-scoring positions – frankly, his finishing is not up to standard.

But with those around him, like Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla, I have faith that Walcott WILL net at least 15 goals this season. Hopefully 20, but he will need to be on fire.