Gunnerblog From Beyond: Wing-wonder Walcott
40 comments October 26th, 2006
Hello. As I explained yesterday: I’m here, and yet I’m not. That is to say that this article was written today (Wednesday), but will be published tomorrow (Thursday), as I am away.
Firstly, a few bits of news that cropped up towards the end of yesterday (Wednesday). After Scandinavian pair Larsson and Bendtner netted in Birmingham’s 4-2 win over Sheffield United, manager Steve Bruce was quick to praise the latter. Meanwhile, our own cup hero, Jeremie Aliadiere has been telling the website that he sees his future at Arsenal. I’m sure he does, it’s just question of how much Arsene agrees.
Elsewhere, Theo Walcott has been speaking about his first 90 minutes as an Arsenal player, particularly a good chance he had towards the end of the game:
“It is always good to play a full game but it was disappointing not to get the goal because I always expect to score when I go through like that. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. Overall though, I felt I did well. I got an assist and hopefully I will get another start in the next round.”
By all accounts he put in a decent performance, starting on the left-wing before shifting to the right. When asked about his multi-positional display, Walcott is typically good-natured:
“I have now played on the right and left as well as up front. It is always good to play in different positions and I really don’t mind where I play.”
It’s a good attitude to have, especially when you consider that Arsene sees his immediately future on the flanks:
“I feel we must let him first play on the wing, then he will go in the centre later. I like to develop a player on the wing a little bit because he has to dribble, and later that will be an asset when he plays in the centre.”
So it’s clear what the long-term plan remains for Theo. It’s interesting: a pacey teenage forward, required to learn his trade on the wing, granting him remarkable dribbling skill to match his speed. Sound familiar? Of course it does.
Same time tomorrow for more Gunnerblog from Beyond.
