I’m convinced the game is up with Walcott. Asked about the dangers of keeping Theo in January, Arsene said:
“There’s a risk that we lose him for free – but it is a risk we are ready to take. A successful season is more important than this week; which is only a financial risk anyway … I believe that we started the season with this squad and we want to finish it with this squad.”
These are not the words of a man who expects news of a contract imminently. He didn’t even bother trotting out his “I always said I want to keep him” line – the same line reserved for Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie. Contained with the above quote is a tacit admission that December deadline will come and go without any progress on a new deal for Theo.
Theo has responded with the line about the fact that his last contract took “six or seven months” to sort out, so there’s no need to panic. It’s a line that would have more weight and relevance if his current negotiations hadn’t dragged on for more than 18 months. If you believe this story, Theo is already preparing to up sticks and go.
There is a distinction in class, however, between Theo and that trio. Football is a game governed by short memories. After the opening game of the season, the venerable Arseblogger said this of the young winger:
“Theo Walcott, however, stank the place out. His first touch of the game came early on, a pass was sprayed out wide to him on the right hand side and he clobbered it out for a Sunderland throw. It was a taste of things to come and knowing how much of his game is negated when teams sit deep I was staggered it took so long for him to be replaced.”
A few days later, when news of the possibility of his departure before the end of the window surfaced, he said:
The reason I cite these in particular is because here is a valued, respected commentator – someone who so often captures the sentiments of the fans – expressing how we felt at the time. That is a matter of weeks ago. Since then, Theo Walcott has started a further five games. That is the extent of his contribution since those opinions were valid: five full appearances. And yet suddenly the mood has transformed, and losing him would be widely perceived as a disaster. Worth bearing in mind before you curse all of the Gods about Theo’s more than likely departure.
Arsenal face a must-win game against Montpellier tonight, and must do so without the injured Walcott. It is something we should prepare to get used to.
Good bye theo, obviously the RVJudas bug has bitten you. Good luck in your next destination. But remember that no one betrays Arsene and Arsenal and become a better player. Decode that if you have a decoder in your head
unfortunately footballers are seen as great by the number of trophies they win…Nasri has EPL winner’s medal now, RVP will get his come may. What makes Pele and Diego better than Cruyf is they both led their country to WC glory…so if Theo wins trophies away from AFC then he would achieved what every player desires
The problem is that Walcott offers something no-one else can and that is AFC experience. He has been at the club for 7 years and has created a fine understanding with Sagna. This is not to say the same could not be developed by another winger (Gnabry?) but it takes time.
I hope we can find a solution but expect Theo to depart in summer to become another Stewart Downing
Argg demmy, grow up with your judas talk, than the players are ALL judas’es, money has taken over long ago, the players dont give a S*** who is paying it, its just money and succes that matters, its a job, and I can think of quite a few who got that after leaving us. Its just the fans, a manager here, a chairman there and maybe a former director who cares about our club.
My guess is that Theo has already told Wenger that he is going to run his contract down. Arsenal have absolutely no say in this matter, it is all with Walcott and his advisers. Thanks for everything Theo !
I think he will stay Theo’s English not Dutch he always says in his recent interviews he wants to stay so its up to afc to give him what he wants and he will stay. Arsenal fans are becoming paranoid of losing players when they come to the end of their contract but remember not everyone has a little rapist child in them instructing them what to do.
Good point well made.
I would rather keep him as we have invested a lot in him, fans, club and manager. His next contract will be his best spell. It would be awful for someone to get that for free.
I could be wrong about this (obviously) but my gut feeling is that he’ll stay.
It’s very easy to pick holes in statements from players but if he had no intention of staying, then why make the statement in the first place? He doesn’t strike me as being that sort of person.
On a slightly different note – his house going on the market could be completely irrelevant. Players can move house without changing club!
Get it right GS. The mundane Arseblogger captures the sentiments of the AKB community.
I just don’t get it. We’re told every day how we need CL football to keep our best players, yet we have this mass exodus every summer? How about my theory. We need to be able to challenge for trophies to keep our best players? Or is that just too preposterous to suggest for a small club like Arsenal with no resources and a small wage budget?
The fact that losing Walcott is deemed a disaster just shows how far we have fallen. Now the average Joe’s are holding the club over a barrel.
it is what it is at this point. i just don’t understand how it got to this point? how did the club let him run down his contract? why wasn’t he sold in the summer and the money reinvested? if we were going to let someone run down his contract it should have been rvp. imagine jack, arteta, cazorla, podolski, the ox and rvp on the field together. you have to wonder who makes these decisions and on what basis?
cant keep a player, no matter how good, who is also the captain, when he says such things abotu the club.
keep robin who was captain when he has already declared he doesnt agree with direction/his salary or whatever ?
theo is younger, not the captain, english, and as so the club ( board and manager) feel they can do something better than in the case of robin….
with robin ..a sale was the only logical conclusion…with theo they consider its a risk worth taking.
Great question? Who makes this decisions! If they they knew Robin was staying, then Cazorla would be playing for the spuds/Malaga or warming the bench at Madrid. If they didn’t sell Song they would have had sleepless nights over the purchase of Lukas Podolski! Had they not lost Cecs,Nasri and Clichy, then Arteta Per and would be considered excess to requirement. It is addition by subtraction, we either do not have the resources to compete in today’s market or idiots run our club. Either way, we are subject to inconsistencies growing pains losing players we need to get to the next level! We are not there and not ready as long as we subtract to add strength to our squad.
It is rank bad management with a slant on any publicity is good as you cannot possibly let that many players get to that position …. Maybe it is arsenes version of consistency as the team do not perform consistently lol……..lol
we either do not have the resources to compete in today’s market or idiots run our club
well, calling the people who have placed arsenal among the elite of football clubs in the world as idiots is a bit too much…
the first thing you said , i.e arsenal not having the resources to compete in todays overinflated market created by russians and sheiks is a lot closer to the truth.
Theo, this season:
15 games, mostly as a sub
9 goals & 7 assists.
He is needed!!!!
Lets not pretend we dont.
Him going is a massive failure from the board.
his stats speak for themselves. If you think he is not needed you are as deluded as bentdner is.
Not only that but his stats have improved year by year and at this rate he hill be firing close to 25 goals next season. Face you just dont like him and your views are driven by it.
The lad has been nothing short of proffesional during his time here and it hasnt always been easy for him. Like giroud he has been placed on a pedastil that no one could live upto. I bet if he finnishes as top scorer this season you will be saying we need to keep him at all costs…..
how about when you right you stay nutural and look at the facts.He Mins on the pitch, goals scored and assits made……………Now tell me we dont him…..Moron!
I can see both sides of the issue. Arsenal are short in the striking department as it is so to lose Theo will only compound the issue. That’s why they need to fight to keep him.
On the other hand, wanting to keep him does not mean he deserves or should get a maximum contract offer. If any other team is willing to pay him 100k+ per week, Godspeed to ‘em but he doesn’t deserve it.
As always though, the key will be whether and how Wenger goes about procuring a replacement if Theo goes.