Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp wants Arsenal to tie down Theo Walcott to a new contract, while Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes the desire shown by the winger in the Gunners' remarkable 7-5 League Cup win over Reading reminded him of another legend Thierry Henry.
Walcott is yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal ending at the end of the current season. If the impasse is not broken, the 23-year-old, who netted a hat-trick in Tuesday's tie, will be free to talk to clubs outside England and come to a pre-contract agreement.
The likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are reportedly swirling around the winger, with Arsenal ready to sell him if an agreement cannot be reached by January, even though manager Arsene Wenger reiterated his desire to keep the former Southampton man at the Emirates.
Keown, who knows how Wenger works, believes pushing Walcott to prove he is worth a new lucrative contract might have been a masterstroke to get the best out of him.
"Some of Theo's performances this season have been of the highest quality," the former Gunner said. "He's has always had the pace of an Olympic sprinter but now he has precision in his play, too. He is playing with certainty.
"Against Reading you saw passion in his play, anger when team-mates weren't on the end of his crosses -- a defiance reminiscent of Thierry Henry. That may have come into his game because, for the first time, he's having to fight.
"His move to Arsenal and international debut were handed to him, really, but now he has to fight for a place and the new contract he wants. That might be a masterstroke by Arsene Wenger."
Redknapp, in his column for the Daily Mail, called Arsenal "ridiculous" to even considering letting Walcott leave. "What are Arsenal doing thinking about letting him go? His performance against Reading was dazzling -- and must have put a few quid on the Arsenal price, or helped his bargaining position," Redknapp wrote.
"Remind me why Arsenal have allowed another top player to get to this stage...again!
"I'm a Theo fan. The boy could catch pigeons with that pace.
"I didn't think he played through the middle as a conventional striker against Reading. He played wide, but came inside.
"He could play through the middle, but I'd keep him wide where he can do so much damage one-on-one against the full-back.
"It is ridiculous that Arsenal are thinking about selling him, though. With that pace, there will be no shortage of takers."
