Theo Walcott leaves Arsenal with his belongings in bin bags
Everton new boy Theo Walcott has nothing but respect for Arsenal, despite using bin bags to haul his belongings from their training ground.
Theo Walcott will find time to say his goodbyes with his old Arsenal colleagues after a rushed exit to Everton left him throwing all of his belongings in bin bags. The England international ended a 12-year association with the Gunners when he joined Everton in a £20 million deal this week, having fallen down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium.
Walcott's no frills removal
And the 28-year-old told a news conference on Thursday there was no great fanfare when the time came to retreive all of his personal belongings from Arsenal's training ground. "When I found that I was coming here I had to go there at night just to pick up all my stuff in binbags," he said, much to the amusement of new Toffees boss Sam Allardyce.
"That's loyalty for you," the well-travelled Allardyce chuckled. "I've had a few of those myself – you have to sneak in and sneak out."
No time to say farewell to Arsenal family
Walcott went on to explain he is keen to say more prolonged farewells, while relishing Everton's trip to north London on 3 February. "I've spoken to the gaffer [Arsène Wenger] and I'm sure I'll get some time to go back and catch up with people and do my proper goodbyes. That's the right way to do it," he said. "We do also play them soon as well, which I'm looking forward to. I've always had so much time for the fans and they've been great to me, through all our ups and downs. I can't thank them enough. It's part of my family, Arsenal."