Arsenal’s Theo Walcott should not be in the England squad, argues Robbie Fowler

Clive Rose/Getty Images
Tom Doyle25 March 2016

Former England international Robbie Fowler has questioned Roy Hodgson’s decision to select Theo Walcott for England’s forthcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.

Walcott is one of five strikers called-up by Hodgson with captain Wayne Rooney injured, along with Arsenal team-mate Danny Welbeck, Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, and current Premier League top scorer, Tottenham’s Harry Kane.

But Walcott, 27, has only scored twice this year, and one only three occasion since his goal in England’s 2-0 win over Estonia back in October.

And, writing in his column for The New Day, Fowler questioned how Walcott can be included while he is underperforming at club level.

"If form is being rewarded, as it is for Danny Drinkwater, I’m not sure what Theo Walcott is doing in the squad.”

"He’s not scoring for Arsenal so is clearly picked for what he’s done in the past."

Fowler made only 26 appearances for England despite scoring 120 goals in a magnificent first spell at Liverpool, between 1993 and 2001.

The Anfield icon broke the 30-goals-a-season barrier twice in that time, in the 1995/96 season (36 goals) and again in 1996/7 (30 goals).

Fowler formed part of Terry Venables Euro ’96 squad, but missed out on the 1998 World Cup in France following a season hampered by knee injuries.

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