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Arsenal forward Theo Walcott wants to emulate 'cult hero' Ian Wright

The 26-year-old is some way behind Wright's 185 goal tally

Mark Critchley

Thursday 24 September 2015 12:28 BST

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Theo Walcott wants to write his name into Arsenal's history books (Getty Images)

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Theo Walcott wants to follow in the footsteps of Ian Wright and become an Arsenal legend.

The 26-year-old is currently competing with Olivier Giroud to become Arsene Wenger's bona fide first-choice striker. So far this season, neither player's form has been good enough to secure the lone frontman position as their own.

Walcott, however, has long had ambitions to play up top for the club and now says that, should he be given the chance, he wants to emulate the legendary Gunners goalscorer.

"I loved him [and] everything about his style of football because he always played smiling," Walcott told Arsenal's official website.

"He obviously scored so many goals and caused havoc for defenders. He wasn't the tallest man in the world but the amount of pressure he would put on defenders just scared them."

Wright became Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer with 185 goals during his time in north London. His record was eventually eclipsed by Thierry Henry in 2005, who went on to reach a total of 228.

Having mainly played as a winger during his time at the club, Walcott has scored 78 times for Arsenal since joining in 2006. Two of those strikes have come this season, against Stoke City and Dinamo Zagreb.

"He is one of those who is in the history books and he is definitely a cult hero."

With Danny Welbeck ruled out through injury and Giroud lacking form, Walcott has the opportunity to make the position his own and begin building towards Wright's tally, despite still being some way behind.

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