THEO WALCOTT: “LA DECEPCIÓN”? at Gunnerblog

THEO WALCOTT: “LA DECEPCIÓN”?

638 guns February 3rd, 2010

A short while after Robinho arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu amid much fanfare, Spanish sports daily Marca left readers under no illusions about just how underwhelmed they were with their much-heralded signing.

“LA DECEPCIÓN” screamed the headline - “The Deception”. Madrid had been promised a superstar and ended up with a spoilt baby - a player who’s character off the pitch was as inconsistent as his performances on it.

Arsenal only just dodged the Robinho-shaped bullet: in 2005 we gave him a tour of the training ground before he opted to sign for Madrid instead. Six months later, just as the Brazilian’s La Liga dreams were starting to crumble, Arsenal signed a player they believed to be an even bigger prospect. Robinho had been earmarked as a long-term replacement for Henry - now they had found a player who was younger, quicker, and even more surprisingly, English. Aged just 16, Theo Walcott arrived with a £12m price-tag and the hopes of a club on his shoulders.

Walcott’s first few months with the club are well documented. Despite not getting on to the pitch before the end of the season, he was selected for Sven Goran Eriksson’s 2006 World Cup Squad. He didn’t get a game there either, with other members of the squad reporting that Walcott was clearly out of his depth. Upon the resumption of the Premier League season, Theo found himself as a peripheral squad member, making a string of mixed cameos that culminated in his goal at the Carling Cup Final, against Chelsea.

Since then, the interruptions he has suffered from injuries have been so frequent as to disrupt any real pattern to his progress. Both shoulders have been operated on due to a congenital condition, and he’s suffered a succession of muscle injuries which may or may not be related. This season has been something of a nadir on the fitness front, with Walcott making just three league starts so far. The false dawn of his hatrick in Croatia has long since been eclipsed by injuries and inconsistency. Arsenal fans now face the question: Will Walcott ever be as good as we hoped? Can he still inherit Henry’s crown? Or, like Robinho, has his teenage talent dimmed? Is he another “decepcion”?

The arguments against Walcott feel particularly clear at the moment. It’s a well-known fact that his technical development is behind those of his age group, as he didn’t start playing the game until he was around 11 years old. Arsene has always been a firm believer that the time between 8 and 11 is critical in developing basic technique, though he was prepared to make an exception for Walcott on account of his extraordinary physical gifts.

On occasions, the gulf between Walcott’s athleticism and his ability causes comical results, as he sprints off in to the distance - forgetting to take the ball with him. He swings wildly at crosses and shots - a Walcott effort is as likely to end up in row Z as it is the top corner.

And yet, some do find the top corner. For all Walcott’s erraticism, there are moments of composure where he gets it just right. You want evidence? I’ll give you evidence.

He’s done some extraordinary things on the football pitch - things which some of the greats couldn’t even dream of:

And yet these make up a handful of moments in what is now four years of Walcott’s Arsenal career. The fans have given him plenty of time - a combination of his enthusiasm and his passport has long protected him from their jeers - but patience is starting to wear thin. We were promised the new Thierry, and we’ve got a player who on today’s form can’t hold a candle to Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young, or even Shawn Wright-Phillips. At the moment, I’m not sure even a fully fit Walcott would make the best Arsenal XI.

So where now? The next six months will be something of a litmus test for Walcott. Despite the famous hatrick that launched England’s qualifying campaign in such style, I think his World Cup spot is in serous jeopardy. Lennon has been far superior, and the form of Milner (as well as Capello’s inclination to pick Beckham) mean that it’s going to take an extraordinary run of performances, let alone good health, for Walcott to force his way back in to the 23. Unusually in this era of club over country, England will be Walcott’s principle motivation in the latter half of the season.

Come the end of the season, many will feel ready to judge Walcott. He’ll be 21 - a far cry from the boy who joined us. However, perhaps we’re best placed to give him more time. Due to his late entry in to the game, Walcott was never likely to be a top class footballer by the time he was twenty. Recently, a journalist asked Arsene to compare Theo and Milner, stating that they were “about the same age”. James Milner is 24. He emerged at Leeds as a 16-year old. It’s taken him eight years to reach the level where he is considered good enough to even sit on the bench for England.

Perhaps the answer is at least to wait until Walcott hits his mid-twenties before we consign him to the scrap-heap marked ‘Portsmouth’. I’d be ready to write him off now, were it not for one enormous factor: the judgment of Arsene Wenger. This is a man who saw something in Alex Song, when all I saw was the footballing equivalent of John Sergeant on Strictly Come Dancing. If Wenger believes Walcott will come good, I’m prepared to trust him.

Between now and May, the onus is on Walcott. To prove that he possesses the potential Arsene clearly believes he has. To prove that those great goals weren’t just flukes. To prove that he’s as good as his Nike ad suggests. To prove, once and for all, that he’s not a deception, but the real deal. Good luck, Theo - we’re rooting for you.

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55 Comments Add your own

1. Tazz | February 3rd, 2010 at 7:45 am

Very true. Take the case of the last player you mentioned in there. Alex Song. Skeptics were all around him upto last season, & boy has he turned the tide or what!? I suppose Theo has been very unlucky with the injuries. Wenger rarely gives young forwards full 90 minutes. So when he was fit, he had to do with subs appearances. Now that he is reaching a age where he can be trusted with a full-show, injuries are just not letting him unleash himself. I’m ready to wait another season or two with little Theo. He will be a proud Gunner. Trust Wenger.

http://11gunners.com/news/the-legend-of-14-is-back-theo-ry-is-back/1108/
2. jg | February 3rd, 2010 at 8:21 am

Yes, we all grit our teetth and tell ourselves that Theo will soon come good and console ourselves by reliving the same highlights of his short career.

But…one of the main reasons Song has come good because he was allowed to play last year in the worst midfield of the Wenger era. A great learning experience for him, but not one fans like myself want to dwell on — or re-experience. I don’t see Theo being afforded the same time Song had. People are getting tired of being sold the future.

One more thing: Wenger certainly saw something in Song. But in Theo did he first see talent or the chance to finally get one over on Chelsea?
3. CiTyBlUe | February 3rd, 2010 at 8:26 am

Your having a laugh big time and anyone agreeing with you including yourself are clearly deluded.

Robinho maybe a lazy player right now but Theo Walcott is no where near the player Robinho is.

For staters Theo Walcott is not even a regular at Arsenal, you Arsenal fans are mini versions of the United and Spurs fans, all you ever do is bang on about how fantastic your players are talking them up to be world superstars only I dont see spurs and Arsenal winning anything lately.

The world knows Robinho has far more talent than Theo Walcott

The world knows Robinho as a brand selld more because he isa more popular

The world knows Robinho can do what Theo Walcott cannot do.

You base your analysis on Robinho’s loss of motivation and for that you clearly are a bunch of fools.

Keep on dreaming Arsenal fans.
4. Jason | February 3rd, 2010 at 8:27 am

The one thing I would like to see is for Walcott to play in his favourite position, up front. Like too many Arsenal players, Wenger plays Walcott in a position he doesn’t particularly enjoy. Ask Nasri, Arshavin and Rosicky if they see them selves as wingers. Ask Eduardo, Vela and Bendtner if they like playing out wide or up front on their own. Ask Almunia if he thinks his best position is goalkeeper. Well only joking there but you see my point. I would like to compare Walcott to Michael Owen. Walcott has pace to burn but is not the best at dribbling or crossing. I guarantee you that if Michael Owen played as a right winger in his peak he would never have been as successful as he was. Michael Owens pace was utilised in the best way it could be, latching on to through balls and using his pace over 5 yards to give himself a chance on goal. You would never really see Owen dribbling past players. We need to see Walcott use his pace through the middle and until then I think along with his injuries it’s a little unfair to judge him yet.
5. Alex | February 3rd, 2010 at 8:34 am

Arrrrrggghhhh - why did you remind us of that night v Liverpool? That goal deserved to see us in the final. Shortly after that was the Babel dive that put Liverpool through!
6. RomfordPele | February 3rd, 2010 at 8:40 am

You said it - he’s started 3 league games all season - judge him when’s he’s fit and had a run of games!

It’s unreasonable for everyone to slate him for the past few games when he’s been out for so long. Two years’ ago he practically got us to CL semis with his assists v milan and that extraordinary run against the Pool. GIve him time.
7. Rico | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:06 am

Guys,dont u think u’re stressing the kid out with these comments?I like the boy and his ability so far but to be issuing ultimatums as above is very harsh…he will be great but he is facing the stark reality of the physicality required in the English game.Chill out,he will come good, a Robinho or Henry he isnt yet but ina year or two he will most probably surpass their ability.

To be honest he is already better than Robinho as far as the Premier league is concerned,I would know ,I’m a city fan…but the lad is gonna come good for sure-trust Wenger and he will steer him right
8. john | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:10 am

Theo is a sprinter and thats it.

As fo your song comment, what has song won? what has song done in the big games? nothing, I cant believe you are getting excited about song, I’m guessing it is because there is no other DM in our squad, well done again Arsene
9. Tom C | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:38 am

Maybe it would actually be better if Theo didn’t go to the World Cup and got in a proper good pre-season (and practised his dribbling skills).
10. Scotty Davis Gooner | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:42 am

Excellent write up.
Some excellent points; and like you, despite the fact hes done little this season when he’s featured, the main point is, that he hasn’t featured. You can’t judge a player on bit part performances.
11. Bjohnson | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:45 am

I LIKE THE ARTICLE, HOWEVER DISAGREE WITH SOME COMMENTS.
I WILL GO ON RECORD AND SAY THAT I STATED THE FOLLOWING WHEN WE LOST FLAMINI - IN ALEX SONG WE HAVE A PLAYER TAT IS BETTER THAN FLAMINI, STRONGER IN THE TACKLE, PASSES BETTER AND A GOOD BRAIN. I ALSO STATED THAT THEO WAS OVERRATED AND IF IT WAS NOT FOR HIS PASSPORT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLD A LONG TIME AGO.
£12 MILLILION -THIS IS THE VERY REASON ARSENE DOES NOT BUY ENGLISH - OVER-PRICED GINGER BEER IN A CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE.
WE NEED TO SELL WALCOT AND GET SOMEONE LIKE ASHLEY YOUNG OR RYAN BABEL ( ARSENE WOULD TURN BABEL INTO A WORLD BEATER IN ONE SEASON)
12. barry yhe gooner | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:55 am

walcott better than robinho when??Sadly he’s flattered to deceive and should he show no improvement in the near future ship him out cut our losses.Couldn’t agree more with john re Song he ia an adequate reserve no more,he lacks pace no organisational skill and on the rare occasions he attacks he has no composure.However the main galling point is without doubt we need an effective DEFENSIVE COACH the manner of goals that we conceed are as bad as a poor pub team with no organisation.
13. Wayne H | February 3rd, 2010 at 9:58 am

Walcotts ability to run the ball into blind alleys is legendery. Wenger himself has said Walcott has not progressed as much as he should have done at this stage. Still being quite young we can only hope he finally improves or he he will dine out on 3 or 4 good goals for the rest of his career. I would not have him in my starting XI.
14. Marinello | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:00 am

Hopefully Walcott will be at the front of the queue of players being shown the door. He actually makes Eboue look good. This summer it’s goodbye to Walcott, Denilson (robbing Ramsey of minutes), Sylvestre, Campbell and the only one I’d be sad about - Eduardo.

To play down the right we already have Rosicky, Nasri, Arshavin, Ramsey, Eboue, Bendtner…to play through the middle we have Bendtner, RVP, Eduardo and Vela (to some extent). Every single one of these players is somehow able to control the ball, hold the ball up and even beat a man with a trick…Theo cannot and I’d swap him in a heartbeat for Ashley Young.
15. Perry Grove | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:08 am

Good points raised. I hope dearly to be proved wrong, but TW just doesn’t seem to have a footballing brain to me. He doesn’t have a natural gift of being in the right space or crafting a clever pass. That said, I’ve always been an incredibly slow runner myself and prefer the more skilful players - Bergkamp, Cesc, Ramsey etc.

It’s frustrating because we all want Theo to do well.
16. Jonathan | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:11 am

I think Walcott will come good. The things that he can do come natural and is instinctive. As for this season on his injuries, I think he made a bad decision on joining the U-21 during the off season and burn himself out.
17. davi | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:15 am

I think theo will end up being a very good player. I also think his time is only just around the corner. Most of the goals in those clips came with him breaking on the opposition. henry was always more effective when we looked to break quickly. Arsenal doesnt play like that so much anymore so naturally theo would be less effective. It’s why he often looks so much better coming on as a sub when the game is stretched.
My issue with him has always been that we paid too much for him, and put him in the 1st team FAR too early.
When he 1st started getting picked, mark randall was easily better than him in terms of basic touch, control, vision and his understanding of the game was streets ahead.
We now have carlos vela, merida and wilshere who all have much more natural talent (and in the case of carlos vela, fairly similar physical attributes), yet it is clear they will not benefit from all the extra experience theo got - damn right they shouldnt but neither should have theo!
The team should come first, but too often wenger has put theo’s development ahead of the team. Either that or he massively overrated the kids ability at the time. Even this season, theo has been injurd and come straight back into the 1st team, bypassing players like vela and eboue (who was extremely impressive early in the season and will probably end up leaving now)
Hes finally starting to come good I think. Hes passing more and making better runs. I just think how good vela would be right now if hed had the same opportunities…
18. guillaume | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:21 am

Good article.

Couple of points. THeo shouldn’t have done the under 21 tournament in the summer as he had no decent prepartation for the season. Also I believe Theo will not be consistent until he is 23/24 because he started football late and some of his technique is not yet polished. But it has been true for a lot of good players, even some of the greats.

What made me laugh is the reaction of Adebayor after his goal. He is there celebrating on his own before realising everyone are celebrating Theo. And suddenly he realise it’s time to change his stance. Fool.
19. stevus | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:23 am

Perhaps one thing Theo can do immediately is show a bit more humility off the pitch. He should stop making banal statements in interviews, as should some others in our squad. He should also realise that buying the gorgeous Mel a £200k sports car is all well and good, but equivalent to the amount that the average middle aged gooner will spend paying their mortgage debt over the next two decades before finding their pension pot crushed. I’m not at all envious, but I do think these players need to be reminded about real life now and again. Rooney doesn’t seem to have a problem with the concept - oh how I wish we had signed him in 2004.
20. Wanger | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 am

Theos biggest problem is his inability to play on the left wing. He’s got a decent right foot which would be best used on the left side where he could cut into the box. right now in this 4-3-3 he is no more than a right midfielder forced to endlessly cross the ball. and if we’re honest he isn’t all that good at it. his dribbling skills are a mixed bag really: at high speed dribbles he gets the ball past defenders much much more easily but with our game mostly congested around the opponents penalty area he has no space to get up to speed. and if he tries it anyway he seems like a rabbit running into a corner… so, either we change our approach a little or we change theos position because i don’t think he has the mettle to change his game. unfortunately…
21. davi | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 am

You’re talking crap about song. No DM can be fully effective on his own. He has been excellent in many big games, but he cant do it all himself.
Even essien has help from lampard and ballack. And mascherano was good last year when he had gerrard and xabi next to him - look at him now!
When denilson is on decent form (which isnt often enough) we dont conced many, basically because then song is getting some help. Against Utd den was awful and cesc will never offer a huge amount defensively so what can alex do beyond damage limitation?

Wait till we get song paired up with diaby. We’ll really dominate the middle.
22. stevus | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:28 am

Perhaps one thing Theo can do immediately is show a bit more humility off the pitch. He should stop making banal statements in interviews, as should some others in our squad. He should also realise that buying the gorgeous Mel a £200k sports car is all well and good, but equivalent to the amount that the average middle aged gooner will spend paying their mortgage debt over the next two decades before finding their pension pot crushed. I’m not at all envious, but I do think these players need to be reminded about real life now and again…and how damn lucky they are. Rooney doesn’t seem to have a problem with the concept - oh how I wish we had signed him in 2004. Achieve something Theodore; then crow about it to your heart’s content.
23. Flex Mauto | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:30 am

One thing that TW14 has over your Youngs, Lennons etc is that he does have a bit of the special..he might be inconsistent but he can do something epecial the other ones can’t like 3 goals in Croatia, assist in Milan & Liverpool champions league, Chelsea in Carling cup & Fa Cup..What i’m saying he produces special moments that only great players like Messi and Ronaldo are capable of..Tell me any memorable moments in a big game that you can remember from Young, Lennon, SWP & Milner…For this very reason alone Capello will put him in his England starting XI…
24. davi | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:32 am

stevus - great point. Thats something that has troubled me about theo.
As much as i dislike rooney’s attitude on the pitch, in particular his diving (which is never picked up on in the media!!!), he chose to make the most of his success and improve his education. He also comes across as a fairly down-to-earth person compared to many others in his position.
25. davi | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:35 am

Flex - true, but its worthless if you can only do it once.
If his place in the side was taken by someone who was less spectacular but more consistent, the team as a whole would be better off. Hleb for example, couldnt do some of the things theo has done, but he plugged away in every game and made things happen. Not to belittle his ability - they called him the “dribble king” for a reason, and his through-passes were bergkamp-esque at times - but his consistency was vital to the formidable side we had in 07/08
26. Copernicus | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:36 am

“Decepción” means “disappointment”.
27. guillaume | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:38 am

“Decepción” means “disappointment”.

I concurr. It’s a false friend. But the article still works with the word disappointment.
28. Thomas Lawrence | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:41 am

Agreed with 26 and 27, was about to point that out too. Like the French, ‘deception’ which also means ‘disappointment’.
29. Flex Mauto | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:46 am

@ Davi i understand your point about him doing it every now and then…but at least he does do it…at present he is a bench warmer of arsenal but in the england set up that right side of midfiled is his..
you can’t rely on lennon, young etc in a big game against brazil in the semis of a world cup….
30. davi | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 am

I disagree - lennon did very well in the last world cup didnt he? He might not go through and score himself, but he can trouble defences and make chances more consistently.
At the moment, Id say lennon would be far more reliable than theo. You cant count on him for anything. He *might do something amazing, the chances are that he wont though.
31. Flex Mauto | February 3rd, 2010 at 11:03 am

Lennon can be pretty inconsistent as well, its only that he has played more games this season..some of his crosses are so wayward they make Sagna’s ones look good…
Theo can produce in crunch games, remember his pass to Cesc in the Villa game..it wasn’t overhit or anything..it was jus perfect..and that was a key moment in that game…Lennon can’t do that..
32. davi | February 3rd, 2010 at 11:18 am

mmm
Its weird that Id be arguing from lennon’s pov. I think theo WILL be much better.
That point about the villa game - I agree it was an excellent pass, the timing and weight were just perfect, but I wouldnt call that producing in crunch games. Hes usually often completely nullified in big matches against chelsea and Utd, which doesnt happen so much to lennon.
Walcott is superb on the counter - which is how he was able to play against villa, because the game had become mroe stretched and villa had a higher line - but hes still learning how to be effective when the game is tight. Hes getting there. Hes learning to be less selfish.
33. Mwimbu | February 3rd, 2010 at 11:26 am

Theo will become a goodplayer.the ones you should go after are carlos vela and denilson.they’re the ones who have shown no hope of development at all!
34. davi | February 3rd, 2010 at 11:33 am

Mwimbu - vela was our best young player last year by far, and has been good in most performances this season.
Hes got 10x the natural talent of theo and is almost as quick.
He’s struggled to adapt to the new formation as he was mainly used as a striker playing off someone bigger, which seemed to work well.
Now hes working out wide and often looks isolated. He needs to learn to be more effective in different systems.
Like theo hes naturally more suited to the counter attacking formation but his 1st touch and control are bordering on world class. He needs to learn the other sides to the game, like where to move off the ball to become more effective.
Imo if hed had half the minutes on the pitch with the 1st team that theo has had hed be one of the top players in the league right now!
35. polo | February 3rd, 2010 at 11:49 am

WELL WELL ANOTHER MISGUIDED ARTICLE….WALCOT HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN UNFORTUNATE TO GET AS INJURED AS HE HAS BUT IN MY OPINION THE ENGLAND PLACE IS FOR WALCOT TO LOOSE NOT TO GAIN.SCREW THE STATICS IF ENGLANDS EVER WANT TO STAND A CHANCE THE THEY HAVE TO BASE THEIR TEAM SELECTION ON TECHNICAL ABILITY THAN FORM IN THE PREMIERSHIP.TECHNICALLY NO SANE ANALYST WOULD EVER GROUP ASHLEY YOUNG,LENON,PHILLIPS WITH WALCOT BECAUSE WALCOT PRESENTS A FAR DIFFERENT OPTION.
AND FOR ALL THE ARSENAL WHO FAIL TO REALISE THAT ARSENAL MIDFIELDERS CAN NOT PASS A THROUGH BALL ON THE RIGHT WING I FEEL SORRY FOR THEM.
ARSHAVIN DID NOSENSE ON SUNDAY SIXTIMES WORSE THAN WALCOT AND YOU TALK ABOUT A PASSPORT YET YOU CANNOT BLAME THE FOOL.I THINK WALCOTTS PASSPORT IS ADISADVANTAGE THAN A CHIP ON THE SHOULDER
36. Conor | February 3rd, 2010 at 12:38 pm

He’d be better off getting his head down and training for the 2012 British 100 metre relay team….

I think it’s crucially important to look at a players technical attributes, ESPECIALLY, when they have outsanding physical attributes. Things like searing pace, or size or strength can become a crutch for young players. The really fast kid doesn’t really need to know how to dribble, he just knocks it past his man. The giant kid up front gets by for years with an awful first touch because he just pushes past defenders anyway. One day though he finds himself in the academy, at 16, top scorer all the way through school, suddenly that centre half he bullied the last few seasons is standing eye to eye with him.

Fabregas is an almost textbook example of someone with no physical crutch to rely on, forcing him to develop outstanding technique.

Just reading Polo’s nonsensical rant there… If England want to base their squad selection on technical ability, then David Beckham is first choice by a mile for that position, Walcott a long way behind.
37. A Catalonian and A Monten&hellip | February 3rd, 2010 at 12:58 pm

[...] should also mention Gunnerblog’s piece on Theo Walcott. He concedes the absolutely frustrating nature of the career of a player who seems [...]
38. Wherefore art thou Theo? &hellip | February 3rd, 2010 at 2:35 pm

[...] Gunnerblog has an excellent piece on where Theo has been, where he should be, and why we might want to give him some time before we pass judgement. Read it, it will make you feel better about Arsene not signing anyone. [Gunnerblog] [...]
39. RoyVasey | February 3rd, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Walcott, Denilson, Nasri all show Mr Wenger isn’t the magician
we all hoped him to be.
Walcott is an enigma, he’ll come on to cheers second oy
to Fab, run around like a headless chicken (occassionally without the ball, like Sunday) and frustrate the hell out of you!
Our wage bill is £100+ million on average kids, sell the rubbish and buy experience, it works, just look at teams with no youth policy and there recent history!
(cue now being told look to the future, I have, for the last 5 years!!)
40. gunnertec | February 3rd, 2010 at 3:52 pm

American, here. I may be a bit late to the party but this phenomenon (of players who are labeled “busts”) is a sad broken record. Players from early ages are touted by the media as “the next [insert iconic player here]” and saddled with the heaviest of tasks in living up to that label. It’s an impossible job and unfair. The worst of it is that the media never gets blamed for the failure, in which they helped create in the first place. Walcott showed/shows talent. Sure he has issues. I do not consider him a super-star on this team. Simply another player–with up-side, certainly. 21 does not an old man, make, in this game.
41. Ramsri | February 3rd, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Theo, like Clichy, Sagna, and half our other players, can’t cross. Theo would be a useful tool in our team if he could. Crossing is not rocket science, almost anyone can do it with consistent practice. It just goes to show that Wenger plans training sessions around triangle passing and nothing else, Our tactics are tored and predictable. Our offensive players don’t make runs into the box because they know no decent cross will be coming in.
42. Ramsri | February 3rd, 2010 at 4:21 pm

tired, not tored
43. Peet | February 3rd, 2010 at 7:35 pm

Theo is the type of player who needs to be 100% fit to play.
Because of his congenital issues, and proneness to injury, he’ll have to learn to play through pain.
He’s got the best manager who creates stars, the rest is on his shoulders, pun intended.
44. george kush | February 3rd, 2010 at 8:47 pm

i think we be a fantastic player even then any of the striker maybe not b52 but he come of age watch vela when yhey come of age arsenal willl tooo strong the y just need playing time . i beleive arsene is almost onthe top of the formula . he just need to take out the slug from the team alumnia( too slumpy) and fabianski( i dont know what wenger see in him but he is shit no confident too scared) and do some defensive work let be frank manone is future so is scernzy . we also need a beast in the midfeild with song and cesc. so it up to dennislon to man up and beef up and diaby to step to the platter no more of he did this or he is . i beleive he can fill up veira shoe and more . nick b will be the greastest arsenal striker just watch . at work rate and his confidential. he will be jason vaughis in the 18 slashing bitch ass defenders and murdering cunt ass goal keeper . be patience and some body has beat those left we have clichy no concentration and sloppy mot forgeting that he is good but if he does not step gibbs willtake his place soon .traore what can i say that hasnt be said just not good enough but he will change you can tell. sol and silvetre. we need investment not advisors no more shit arsenal steo up now we are beleiving in you cuz we see the potential
45. george kush | February 3rd, 2010 at 8:48 pm

good kush
46. arsene | February 3rd, 2010 at 10:22 pm

I would like to tell you a little secret.
I paid too much for Theo and I’ve now realised he’s a little bit useless.
To make it worse I’ve given him a long term contract and pay him at a very high level.
To make it even worse I now realise he is physically knackered at 21.
So, you see, I’m a little bit stuck.
I’d like to sell him but then it will look like I’m a little bit of a failure. So I can’t. So I’ll have to keep him until everybody forgets about him then I’ll sell him to Portsmouth or Birmingham.
47. ANELKA | February 4th, 2010 at 2:33 am

Walcott plays so much better on the left wing as compared with playing on the right wing. Perhaps Wenger is trying to develop Walcott’s right sided game before he moves Walcott to a central position i.e. making Walcott a more complete player before moving him into a central role.

Arsene’ knows!!! well i hope he does!

Your thoughts?
48. Maximus | February 4th, 2010 at 3:34 am

Song?

How about Denilson? What has le cunt seen in him?

And how about Almunia?

Fact is, Song would not be good enough for the Man Us, Chelseas, Barcelonas and Real Madrids of this world. He’s still just a battler as far as I’m concerned. Far better to have kept Flamini, who worked splendidly well with Cesc.

And what of all the other chaff bandits? Senderos, Cygan; the blindingly outrageous Silvestre, Diaby, etc, etc.

So you want to trust le cunt on Walcott?

Good luck - the evidence, going on the last five years, is plain for all to see.
49. kumzi | February 4th, 2010 at 7:27 am

Maximus, you are not worthy of that name. Song wouldnt get into Chelsea or ManU? If Obi Mikel can or even that idiot Ballack, then surely Song can. How about Carrick or flex; wanna tell me they are better than Song? Me say, you are smokin weed
50. AmericanGunnerFan | February 4th, 2010 at 7:48 am

I’ve said this before on other blogs. Walcott has the ability to be a special player, but will not achieve that potential unless and until he does three things: 1.) develops his core body strength; 2.) learns not to simply rely on his speed (pace) and develops additional moves with the ball; and 3.) starts to hustle on defense especially when he is beign frustrated or taken out of the game offensively.

The big difference between Theo and the players mentioned in the article is that, while they are all smallish, fast players, the others have all gotten a lot stronger than Theo. Unlike the others, Theo is easily knocked off the ball and that will continue until his body matures and he add substantially to his core body strength. That’s not going to be easy to do with two surgically repaired shoulders and, as a result, may take a couple of years, but it is absolutely critical in order for Theo to keep from being continually injured and be able to use his abilities as a player. If he doesn’t become considerably stronger over the next 2-3 years, he will never become the player that his early successes promised.

Even if Theo does become stronger, as has been pointed out, there are weaknesses to his game that he must work on. Whether he will work on those weaknesses as hard as he will have to in order to fulfill his promise will depend on two factors: staying healthy (because he can’t work on his game enough if he is on the sidelines hurt) and realizing that his game still needs a lot of work and showing the determination to improve (because if he thinks his game is good enough now and doesn’t think that he needs to work hard at improving because he blames his failures on where he is playing, lack of playing time, etc., he will never improve his game sufficiently). When a manager publicly states that a player hasn’t developed as much as the manager had hoped, it is often a sign that the player hasn’t been working as hard as the manager wants and is designed to give the player a kick in the rear end. I hope that’s not the case with Theo, but he needs to show a real determination to work on and improve his game over the next year or two, especially because he has lost so much time to injury, or he will prove to be a major bust.

No matter how good an offensive player is, there are going to be games when things aren’t going well in the offensive end. That’s when an offensive player, like Walcott, can still help out his team by hustling and getting back on defense. You saw T.Henry do it, you see Bendtner do it consistently, you even see Arshavin do it. You see Rooney do it all the time. How many times have you seen Theo track an opponent back all the way to the box and actually cover a man? Almost never. Size isn’t an excuse, either, because just being next to an opponent, getting in his way, can restrict what he can do and help the rest of the team. Being willing to play defense is about attitude and hustle. While it doesn’t show up in the stat sheet, not hustling on defense leaves the team short a man in its own end and no manager is going to want to play down a man in his own end consistently. If Theo wants to get playing time in the future as he is developing, he’s going to have to show that he’s willing to hustle and play defense. Otherwise, he is just going to be used as a strictly offensive-minded substitute who gets put on when the team is down and needs a goal in the future. That won’t be Wenger’s fault it will be Theo’s fault and will make it harder for him to achieve his potential.

I’d hold on to Theo for another 2-3 years to see if he can stay healthy and do the things he needs to do to fulfill his potential, using him judiciously in games where he can help the team to assess his progress. If he doesn’t work on his game and try to add strength, if he still doesn’t hustle on defense, then I would sell him off to some club still mesmerized by his big name, reputation and potential. He’s still young enough that he can still mature mentally and physically at this point, so I think that it would be premature to get rid of him just yet. But, as we say in the US, I’d have him “on a very short leash”.

Finally, as for Denilson’s very disappointing performances of late, let me just remind everyone that he has been playing with a bad back injury that caused him to miss a couple of games. Compared to his earlier performances this season, it looks like he is still being hampered by his injury (Clichy also doesn’t look 100% either). He probably shouldn’t be out there at this stage, but, with Eboue away at the ANC and Ramsey and Diaby injured, Denilson may be trying to “gut it out” for the sake of the club and AW may be playing him because he really doesn’t feel that he has a better option at this point. Unfortunately, Denilson’s play has deteriorated to such an extent that it may be necessary for him to give way for someone else as soon as AW has someone available that he feels he can trust in that spot in the starting XI.
51. Will | February 4th, 2010 at 7:50 am

I agree with this article. But theo needs to play on the left like he did for england. That legendary run was through the middle of the park, he plays absolutely rubbish on the right.

Nasri is not a flop either!! He is on of our best performers. Wenger should finally play theo in the centre or at least the left wing. Against Man U, in the rare seconds he was there he looked dangerous. he can’t shoot from the right and crossing is a waste of time as far as arsenal are concerned for the moment. Maybe wenger should play arshavin on the right.
52. Marinello | February 4th, 2010 at 10:29 am

The level Walcott has to reach is that of Jesus Navas, the speedy, small (skilful, creative and hard working) plater at Sevilla. Walcott is miles away from that.
53. Eurasian | February 4th, 2010 at 10:32 am

I think the success of players like Fabregas at such a young age has spoiled Gunners fans. Even though he’s been here a few years, Walcott is only 20, and we need to look at him like any other team would evaluate him as a 20 year old; a player with promise who will probably improve.

Any 20-year-old who can hold down a spot even on the fringe of the first team is doing really well.

Remember how inconsistent Diaby has been in his time with us? His problems were similar to Walcott’s - lacking the footballing intelligence to go with his ability. He seems to have sorted it out this season, and he’s 23 now. We need to expect Walcott to progress along similar lines.

I was a dumb shit when I was 20, so I don’t expect Theo to be a footballing genius at that age. Fabregas was at 16, but he’s an absolute freak, rather than the norm.
54. Maximus | February 4th, 2010 at 10:45 am

Kumzi

What’s so special about Song?

He doesn’t score goals nor does he create them. 3 goals were shipped against Man U. When Gallas and Vermaelen went forward for the last two, where was he?

If we can’t get better than Song, Walcott, etc, etc, it’s game over apropos of winning anything. And for that, you can thank le cunt.
55. TrAnE | February 4th, 2010 at 3:25 pm

Great Read!

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