Theo Walcott says he played with ‘the most underrated player that has existed’ at Arsenal

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Arsenal have had their fair share of underrated players over the years.

Indeed, Gilberto Silva was always an underrated player, Declan Rice has been described as underrated in the past, while Bukayo Saka is seen as underrated by some.

Speaking to the Premier League’s YouTube channel, Theo Walcott has been discussing some of his former Arsenal teammates, and he says he may have played with the most underrated player ever during his time in north London.

According to Walcott, Olivier Giroud may well be the most underrated player in history.

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Theo Walcott says Olivier Giroud is incredibly underrated

Walcott spoke about how the role of a number nine has changed over the years.

Walcott noted that the role has changed, claiming that he preferred to play with the more modern strikers due to how they’d try to help him as a winger.

The pundit said that Olivier Giroud is one of the best Arsenal strikers of all-time, noting that the £13m man was so underrated.

“The difference I feel now is the forward line is very different. The players I played with, number nines, Van Persie, Henry, I played with Bergkamp briefly in training, different level. You don’t have those players anymore, and that made it easier for me as a winger.

“I could really connect with them, Giroud is probably the most underrated player that has existed, and he’s one of the best strikers Arsenal ever had because he brought the best out of me.”

Theo Walcott record alongside Olivier Giroud

Walcott says Giroud got the best out of him at Arsenal, and the stats certainly back that up.

Indeed, while Walcott was never as prolific as he promised to be as a teenager, he came into his own when he played alongside Giroud as he scored more than he ever did before when he played alongside the Frenchman.

Giroud doesn’t get the credit he perhaps deserves, but, Kylian Mbappe called him a legend for a reason.

The striker was brilliant at linking play and creating chances, and that’s why Walcott thrived alongside the Frenchman at Arsenal.

Gary Neville says Giroud would be perfect for Arsenal right now, and he’s not wrong.

Arsenal want a new number nine this summer, and if they can find a player of Giroud’s level they would do very well.