Keane, who famously branded Arsenals players “weak” and “cheating the fans” following their Champions league exit to Barcelona last season, wants further evidence Walcott can deliver when it matters.
“It’s taken him a while to get a settle at the club, hasn’t it? Ten years?” Keane said on ITV Sport’s Champions League highlights show on Wednesday night. “Listen, the guy [Theo Walcott] needs to relax; he’s had a good week.
“Try playing well for the next seven, eight, nine months when the real crunch games come.
“I wouldn’t get carried away about Walcott. He’s got to keep doing it over the next year or two.”
Walcott has scored five goals in seven Arsenal matches this season after reclaiming a regular starting place in the team following an indifferent 2015-16 campaign.
The Gunners have won four matches on the trot, and six of their last seven games, but Keane is not getting carried away.
“Tonight was a lovely game for Arsenal, when they’re in that form they’re great to watch,” he added to ITV Sport. “They could’ve score seven, eight, nine goals easily: a joy to watch.
“But the crunch games are coming up for them over the next few months, when the cold nights come in and we’ll see half the Arsenal players with their gloves on.”
The Gunners top group A on four points with back-to-back fixtures against Ludogorets coming up next.
In other Arsenal news, fans have reacted on Twitter to Walcott’s display against Basel.