How wise was it to play Walcott against Colorado?
1 comment March 7th, 2008
Yesterday, Arsenal played their American partners Colorado Rapids in a behind-closed-doors friendly game, which finished 2-1 to the Gunners. Our goals were scored by Gilberto (a header) and young Dutch forward Nacer Barazite (a tap-in). The Arsenal side included the likes of Lukasz Fabianski, Justin Hoyte, Denilson, Gilberto, Theo Walcott, and Nicklas Bendtner.
The friendly was part of a charm offensive the Arsenal board have launched on shareholder and Rapids owner Stan Kroenke as they look to keep him onside in the takeover battle against Red & White Holdings. Whether or not that had any influence on Arsene’s decision to involve first-team members I couldn’t say, but having lost Abou Diaby to injury on Tuesday night, playing Walcott was a decidedly risky move that backfired as the Englishman (and Denilson) left the field injured. Far be it from me to criticise Arsene, but was it really worth the risk?
Of our other wide players, Eboue is suspended and Rosicky still a couple of weeks away, so we look remarkably light in that area ahead of Sunday’s game at Wigan. Perhaps Armand Traore will be given a role on the left-wing. If not, it’s possible that Bendtner or Adebayor could be forced to play wide in a 4-5-1. We shall have to wait and see.
On the subject of Walcott, Arsene Wenger has reacted angrily to David Bentley’s suggestion that the teenager should leave Arsenal, saying:
“Bentley is entitled to his opinion but it does not mean he is right. I don’t know why one player should incite another player to leave a club. It is not his job.”
I couldn’t agree more. Just because Bentley didn’t make it Arsenal doesn’t mean Walcott won’t. Till tomorrow.
