‘Hang on, what’s happened?’ – Pundit Theo Walcott reveals he missed TWO Arsenal goals hobbling back to seat after injury
THEO WALCOTT missed TWO Arsenal goals during their 7-1 demolition of PSV Eindhoven – because he’s injured.
The former Gunners star watched Mikel Arteta‘s side all but secure a Champions League quarter-final spot from the Amazon commentary box.
Walcott joined host Gabby Logan and fellow pundit Daniel Sturridge to review the action from the Philips Stadium.
The 35-year-old spent 12 years at the Emirates, scoring 108 goals in 397 appearances.
Walcott was blighted by injury for much of his career, with persistent knocks forcing him to hang up his boots in 2023.
And that bad luck appears to have followed him into his media career.
Walcott revealed he missed two of Arsenal’s goals because he was “limping” from pitchside to the gantry.
Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard netted in the 47th and 48th minute, extending Arsenal’s lead to 5-1.
Discussing Odegaard’s strike, Walcott admitted: “I missed that goal actually, limping back [to the studio].”
Logan laughed in response: “Was that you hobbling? Didn’t you miss [Trossard’s goal too]?
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“Because you were working with Gabrial [Clarke] just before kick-off [pitchside].”
Logan revealed Walcott was suffering from a “poorly knee.”
She added with a grin: “You’ve only mentioned it eight times tonight!
“You asked ‘Hang on a minute, what’s happened here?’ [after seeing the score].”
Walcott’s colleague Sturridge then chimed in with a possible reason for the injury, laughing: “Golfing!”
It proved to be a European night to remember for Arsenal, who have struggled for goals in recent weeks.
The Gunners’ title charge has faltered following injuries to key personnel upfront.
Arsenal ratings vs PSV as Nwaneri comes of age in Champions League drubbing but rash Lewis-Skelly is hooked early
ARSENAL steamrolled a hapless PSV side to all-but book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Gunners started without a recognised striker once again but unlike at Nottingham Forest last week, goals were not a problem in Eindhoven.
A quick-fire double from Jurrien Timber and Ethan Nwaneri around the 20th minute put the Gunners in control in what was an assured display.
Every Arsenal player impressed and they were clinical with their finishing.
Only Myles Lewis-Skelly will feel a little disappointed as he was hooked after half an hour to avoid him picking up a second yellow.
It was a shame as the youngster was performing well on the ball – he played a key role in the build-up to the opening goal.
But he could not be trusted by Mikel Arteta after he dived and caught his man with a challenge that could easily have resulted in a second booking.
It was another careless moment that allowed PSV back into the match as Thomas Partey conceded a penalty that was converted on the stroke of half-time.
But the Gunners did not rest on their laurels and came out racing after the break, scoring twice in two minutes to put the match, and the tie, to bed.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Gunners’ display…
But they took out their frustration on PSV, with six different scorers contributing to a famous rout.
A delighted Arteta beamed: “It’s very significant but it’s just to put yourself in a really strong position to go through to the next round.
“That’s it; that’s the reality. To put landmarks, we have to really make it to a very different level.
“But obviously, this team has done a lot that hasn’t been done in many, many years or in the history of the club.
“Which means a lot, but that’s not what we want.”
But he also warned: “In football, and you do very well today, put your head down, be humble, analyse how you can improve.
“Because the next game is going to be completely different to this one.
“And nobody can write the script, unfortunately, even if we would like to.”