Arsenal are a side brimming with potential. The trouble is, that same statement has been true for the last 10 years, and the world waits patiently for them to flourish again. Always in development, uniquely frustrating, they have often times captured lightning in a bottle only to see it conducted away through a hole in the bottom.
Theo Walcott
The last decade’s ‘almost man’, Theo Walcott is the current standard-bearer of this mentality, and his development seems to reflect the overall fortunes of the club of late. Yes, he’s been impressive, almost talismanic at brief times, having scored 86 goals in 347 games. He played as part of the team that won the FA Cup recently, but his stock is diminishing rapidly. He wasn’t picked to play a part in England’s Euro 2016 squad (perhaps a blessing in disguise), but he has had plenty of opportunities to underperform on a national level as well (a hat-trick early into his career has since only spawned five more goals in over 40 caps).
This January, he celebrated his 10th year with the club that plucked him from the relative obscurity of Southampton, in a season last year that found him struggling to maintain his place ahead of young upstarts Alex Iwobi and Joel Campbell. He finds himself dumped out of the top 20 fastest players on FIFA. His form was not unnoticed by Arsène Wenger, who stated that he hadn’t settled for the season (15/16) “as well as you could have expected”. But if not now, then when? Since his induction as a young 17-year-old, Arsenal fans have been promised greatness and have waited patiently ever since, but as one commentator noted three years ago during a particularly gruelling World Cup Qualifying campaign, “He is a perennial leg barer, but is never willing to lower his stockings the entire way.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
So the same is true, it could be said, of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. As a 23-year-old it could be considered a touch unfair to write him off at this comparatively early stage. But the hallmarks of Walcott-syndrome are there, right down to the Southampton origins. Plucked by Wenger, again as a 17-year old, for a comfortable £12 million, he has only found the back of the net 8 times in 104 games since 2011, which is one goal fewer than his single year in the Southampton senior squad.
It could be a case that, as some have stated, he was brought forward far too young and far too quickly, without the proper opportunity to develop – before he knew it he was the 2nd youngest English player to ever start in the Euros (2012). Here, the cracks in Arsenal’s academy mentality are more visible. Are they better at creating the environment in which a more established, mature footballer thrives? When we look at the example of Mesut Özil (a spectacular player who had the most assists last season) in comparison to The Ox, we wouldn’t be wrong to suspect that Arsenal’s philosophy actually depends on a group culture rather than individual greatness. Perhaps we have been wrong-headed to look at it as the place where youthful dreams come true.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has had the fortune to start four games this season, but thus far has struggled to make a significant impact. For all their patience, Arsenal fans have been rewarded with a player who they enjoy to see in the post-match interviews and verbose on social media, but who rarely gives them anything that indicates his footballing potential is being reached. It’s a real shame, given he has the strength and pace to be truly deadly, not to mention supreme confidence in himself.
Transfer Troubles
But perhaps the true tell is in Wenger’s actions this year. After rumours that the club were open to selling him in the summer window, and further rumours that he refused to go, they are instead not looking to renew his contract when it expires in 2018. All talks are on hold in that regard, and even those closest to him are advising that he jump before he is pushed. Wenger, it seems, is not willing to gamble on ‘Walcott 2.0’ any longer than is necessary.
A “Crucial Season”
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s position grows more precarious by the day. When Aaron Ramsey finally makes a welcome return to full fitness, he will only find his competition increased, and his ability to fit into the first team diminished.
With Wilshere and Chambers sent out on loan for their troubles, the pressure is on the English lads to make sure that whatever happens, they make this year count. Walcott, while underperforming consistently, seems to have the faith of his manager, Oxlade-Chamberlain does not. Already into his contract’s penultimate year, time is running out.
Arsenal captain Leah Williamson has been announced as a National Year of Reading ambassador following the official launch of the 2026 campaign at Emirates Stadium.
The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled the Go All In initiative on January 13, positioning reading as a gateway to enhancing passions across all walks of life.
Williamson joined a stellar lineup of ambassadors including author Julia Donaldson, illustrator Axel Scheffler, poet Jackie Kay, and several other prominent figures from literature and public life. The event marked a significant moment for literacy promotion in the country, with the campaign centred on the message that reading can deepen enjoyment of whatever people already love.
A Message From the Pitch
Speaking at the launch, Williamson drew parallels between football and reading. She said the National Year of Reading represents a chance to fully commit to personal passions through literature in all its forms. The Arsenal skipper encouraged people to seize the opportunity by picking up books, listening to audiobooks, or diving into articles related to their interests. Her involvement underscores how sports figures can champion reading beyond their professional domains.
Resetting Reading Culture
Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of The National Literacy Trust, described the launch as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how Britain views books.
The ambition extends beyond traditional reading spaces, aiming to make literature accessible in communities, schools, and even on football pitches. Prior emphasized stripping away pressure and stigma around reading, making it relevant and enjoyable rather than obligatory.
The campaign represents a coordinated national effort to boost literacy rates and foster a genuine love of reading across all demographics and age groups throughout 2026.
Also read: Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director
Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.
The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons
Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.
New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.
United Strengthened in January
Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
Arsenal confirmed on January 9, 2026 that Jodie Taylor has been appointed as the club’s first ever Technical Director.
The 39-year-old former England striker moves up from her existing role as Technical Services Manager, a position she has held since September 2023 following her retirement from professional football.
Taylor’s promotion comes on the same day Arsenal announced Renee Slegers’ new contract extension through 2029, creating a strategic restructuring of the women’s football department.
A Decade Long Arsenal Connection
Taylor’s relationship with Arsenal spans ten years since first joining as a player in 2016. She scored 10 goals in 17 appearances during her initial spell before returning on a short-term deal in March 2023. Taylor earned 50 plus England caps during her international career and won the Golden Boot at Euro 2017.
She represented her country at the 2015 Women’s World Cup finishing third and played for multiple elite clubs including Lyon, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave throughout her career.
Strategic Structural Development
Taylor’s new role bridges critical areas of football operations including recruitment, analysis, coaching and performance support. She will work closely with Renee Slegers on a daily basis as the Technical Director, providing structural support for coaching decisions and squad development.
Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley praised Taylor’s appointment as integral to continued development of the program as Arsenal challenges for major trophies consistently. Wheatley will now focus on upward management across UEFA, FIFA and domestic boards while Taylor handles day to day operations.
Building a High Performance Environment
Taylor expressed immense pride stepping into her new position, emphasizing Arsenal’s remarkable growth over the past decade. She committed to nurturing a high-performance environment where players, coaching staff and support teams have the right tools to deliver at the highest level.
Her appointment represents investment in female leadership within Arsenal’s technical infrastructure, aligning with the club’s commitment to developing their women’s program systematically and strategically moving forward into their next phase.
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
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