Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has no regrets about the comments made following the Gunner's 3-0 thumping at the hands of Crystal Palace last season.
The England international said that the Eagles had wanted it more during their demoralising loss, and this did not go well with the club's faithful, who demanded manager Arsene Wenger to step down from his duties.
There were also calls for Walcott to be axed from the lineup, and coincidentally it happened in the game which followed with Wenger opting for a change in formation. The Gunners lost just a single match against rivals Tottenham Hotspur following the tactical switch, and this saw them finish just a point below the Champions League positions whilst also lifting the FA Cup for a third time in four seasons.
"I was captain for the day, no one else was going to come out and I felt like I had to say something," Walcott told reporters at the end of their pre-season tour of Australia. "The team went on to do well after all those games. I'm an honest guy, I say what's on my mind. I just want what's best for my team."
Walcott managed just one start following the change to the 3-4-2-1 formation, but this had nothing to do with his reaction as they was no place for a natural winger in the new setup. Adding further, Walcott admitted that there was a significant reaction from his teammates after the gruelling defeat at Selhurst Park, and this fired them towards the FA Cup crown, although they missed out on Champions League football for the 20th straight season.
The former Southampton graduate has been heavily linked with an Emirates exit this summer amid suggestions that Wenger wants to recruit a new winger to his ranks. Both Everton and West Ham United have been credited with an interest in Walcott, who is valued at around £30m.
