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Start Theo Walcott in the FA Cup final or risk losing both, says Charlie Nicholas

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Image: Theo Walcott: Charlie Nicholas thinks he should start the FA Cup final

Charlie Nicholas has warned Arsene Wenger that he must start Theo Walcott in the FA Cup final or risk losing both.

Walcott, who has 12 months to run on his current contract, scored a hat-trick in Arsenal's final-day 4-1 win over West Brom in just his fourth Premier League start of the season.

Nicholas believes Walcott deserves to lead the line again against Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday in place of Olivier Giroud, who has failed to score in his last eight appearances.

Charlie predicts
Charlie predicts

Find out what 120/1 scorecast Charlie is predicting for the FA Cup final in his Sky Bet tip here.

"If Wenger plays Walcott through the middle, then Arsenal win the FA Cup and Theo re-signs for the club, it's that simple," said Nicholas.

"Giroud has been poor and Wenger has been giving people their opportunities in FA Cup. Now it's Theo's chance.

"He looks sharp and hungry, Wenger has held him back and unleashed him against West Brom. At 26 and fully fit again, Theo is ready to be a top-class player and must start on Saturday.

"Giroud has been poor and is too static. If you're an Aston Villa defender, then you want to play against Giroud, not Walcott making those runs in behind.

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"Arsenal's passing dies around a static forward and that's what Giroud has turned into in recent weeks. If Walcott starts, then that pushes the defence 10-15 yards deeper to cover for his pace and allows the creative players room to work and cause problems."

Follow Charlie's Sky Bet prediction for the FA Cup final here.

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