Theo Walcott Englands great hope

[Bendtners Drinking Buddy]

BDB I would say the players you mention get less patience, certainly in my eyes, because of the way they have emerged as players.

The teenage Walcott who played for Southampton was a sheer frightening prospect. Before we signed him based on what I had seen of him, well, I hadn't seen many prospects like that in all the years I've been watching the game. I still believe that player is in him. And that he can only realise it again by playing through the middle. Potentially I see a world beater in there.

The other players didn't really emerge with much fan fare, for sure I saw no sign of future greatness from their early games, just decent potential. And as the years have gone on whatever improvements they have made still haven't convinced me we have the next Essien in Song, the next Drogba in Bendtner or the next Lampard (insert better comparison here) in Denilson.

Lets look at Wilshere. He's younger than all those three but you know it, it's there. Whatever that killer factor is that makes you just know a player can achieve greatness is there. So he'll probably get more lee-way if in a few years he hasn't quite realised that potential.

Yes, but Song, Denilson etc are improving all the time, Walcott is getting worse, and id rather have the former ie a player improving. I certainly dont see him getting into the "world class" Category you speak off.

Walcott looked great at Southampton at Championship level, but in the Prem has never really cut it, or looked like cutting it. We need him to perform over xmas, we really do, but personally I cant see it.

I believe The reason he isnt played centrally is because he hasnt got the ability to control a ball properly and would get out muscled just as easy as he is out wide. His finishing ability hasnt been that great either.

[LDB]

BDB I would say the players you mention get less patience, certainly in my eyes, because of the way they have emerged as players.

The teenage Walcott who played for Southampton was a sheer frightening prospect. Before we signed him based on what I had seen of him, well, I hadn't seen many prospects like that in all the years I've been watching the game. I still believe that player is in him. And that he can only realise it again by playing through the middle. Potentially I see a world beater in there.

The other players didn't really emerge with much fan fare, for sure I saw no sign of future greatness from their early games, just decent potential. And as the years have gone on whatever improvements they have made still haven't convinced me we have the next Essien in Song, the next Drogba in Bendtner or the next Lampard (insert better comparison here) in Denilson.

Lets look at Wilshere. He's younger than all those three but you know it, it's there. Whatever that killer factor is that makes you just know a player can achieve greatness is there. So he'll probably get more lee-way if in a few years he hasn't quite realised that potential.

I dont see how playing through the middle is going to change the fact he has an awful first touch, distinctly average finishing and very little power. If anything I think it would be exacerbated playing through the middle.

It's up to him to prove us all wrong wherever hes playing.

[Number 5]

Yes, but Song, Denilson etc are improving all the time, Walcott is getting worse, and id rather have the former ie a player improving. I certainly dont see him getting into the "world class" Category you speak off.

Walcott looked great at Southampton at Championship level, but in the Prem has never really cut it, or looked like cutting it. We need him to perform over xmas, we really do, but personally I cant see it.

I believe The reason he isnt played centrally is because he hasnt got the ability to control a ball properly and would get out muscled just as easy as he is out wide. His finishing ability hasnt been that great either.

But he has been in the world class category. He has produced moments that you can look at and say, fuck me no-body could have done that better. Obvoiusly the go to moment in his career at Anfield CL semi would support this. Considering he was 16 at Championship level it's hard to agree with your point that he can cut it there but not in the prem. 16 in the championship is fucking hard work. If you look at a lot of his Southampton goals you'll see a common factor. He was playing through the middle.

Is it just co-incidence that he has been getting worse since Arsenal signed him and took him away from the one area he was excelling in and shifted him onto the wing?

The improving players really only have been improving against weaker teams. When it comes to it against the real bigger opponents they are almost always found wanting. And that has to be a direct reason why we cannot make the final step from nearly there to winners. I await the breakout game from Song or Denilson or Bendtner where they have a permanent impact against either Man U or Chelsea in 90 minutes and I can look up and say, shit, that was impressive.

[Number 5]

I dont see how playing through the middle is going to change the fact he has an awful first touch, distinctly average finishing and very little power. If anything I think it would be exacerbated playing through the middle.

It's up to him to prove us all wrong wherever hes playing.

That is how he came to the attention of all the top clubs in England don't forget.

Not by playing on the wing at Southampton. By playing up front through the middle.

[Bendtners Drinking Buddy]

Yes, but Song, Denilson etc are improving all the time, Walcott is getting worse, and id rather have the former ie a player improving. I certainly dont see him getting into the "world class" Category you speak off.

Walcott looked great at Southampton at Championship level, but in the Prem has never really cut it, or looked like cutting it. We need him to perform over xmas, we really do, but personally I cant see it.

I believe The reason he isnt played centrally is because he hasnt got the ability to control a ball properly and would get out muscled just as easy as he is out wide. His finishing ability hasnt been that great either.

But he has been in the world class category. He has produced moments that you can look at and say, fuck me no-body could have done that better. Obvoiusly the go to moment in his career at Anfield CL semi would support this. Considering he was 16 at Championship level it's hard to agree with your point that he can cut it there but not in the prem. 16 in the championship is fucking hard work. If you look at a lot of his Southampton goals you'll see a common factor. He was playing through the middle.

Is it just co-incidence that he has been getting worse since Arsenal signed him and took him away from the one area he was excelling in and shifted him onto the wing?

The improving players really only have been improving against weaker teams. When it comes to it against the real bigger opponents they are almost always found wanting. And that has to be a direct reason why we cannot make the final step from nearly there to winners. I await the breakout game from Song or Denilson or Bendtner where they have a permanent impact against either Man U or Chelsea in 90 minutes and I can look up and say, shit, that was impressive.

What moment? He ran the ball up the pitch with acres of space against a tired defence a brilliant passage of play - not exactly "world class".

I get your points, but I still dont get why Walcott is regarded so highly, Song, Denilson and Bendtner bring more to the squad than Walcott does at present - when has Walcott had a big game against the top teams?

[augie]

Yes, but Song, Denilson etc are improving all the time, Walcott is getting worse, and id rather have the former ie a player improving. I certainly dont see him getting into the "world class" Category you speak off.

Walcott looked great at Southampton at Championship level, but in the Prem has never really cut it, or looked like cutting it. We need him to perform over xmas, we really do, but personally I cant see it.

I believe The reason he isnt played centrally is because he hasnt got the ability to control a ball properly and would get out muscled just as easy as he is out wide. His finishing ability hasnt been that great either.

But he has been in the world class category. He has produced moments that you can look at and say, fuck me no-body could have done that better. Obvoiusly the go to moment in his career at Anfield CL semi would support this. Considering he was 16 at Championship level it's hard to agree with your point that he can cut it there but not in the prem. 16 in the championship is fucking hard work. If you look at a lot of his Southampton goals you'll see a common factor. He was playing through the middle.

Is it just co-incidence that he has been getting worse since Arsenal signed him and took him away from the one area he was excelling in and shifted him onto the wing?

The improving players really only have been improving against weaker teams. When it comes to it against the real bigger opponents they are almost always found wanting. And that has to be a direct reason why we cannot make the final step from nearly there to winners. I await the breakout game from Song or Denilson or Bendtner where they have a permanent impact against either Man U or Chelsea in 90 minutes and I can look up and say, shit, that was impressive.

One fears you could be waiting a while for that

[DB10GOONER]

Theo was muck again last night. He is fast attaining the modern Tony Daly status that I (half) jokingly attributed to him recently…

So what can he do? He can run fast… and... and... erm... uh...

Seriously though, I hope he can get himself sorted because there is so much potential there it’s frightening but I think the whole Engerland thing and his bird wanting him on the cover of poxy Hello magazine every other week is affecting him as much as his endless injuries.

I wouldn't rush to judge the lad yet even though he has been here 4 or 5 years but he should be showing alot more than he is at this stage. As much as I want him to succeed he is frustrating the living bejaysus out of me!!

[Number 5]

What moment? He ran the ball up the pitch with acres of space against a tired defence a brilliant passage of play - not exactly "world class".

I get your points, but I still dont get why Walcott is regarded so highly, Song, Denilson and Bendtner bring more to the squad than Walcott does at present - when has Walcott had a big game against the top teams?

First point, can you inagine if that was Messi or Ronaldo? The world would have creamed their pants. It was and is a highly world class moment. Cesc's goal against Spurs didn't even get a mention in the press or by other teams and that was real high quality too.

My regard for Walcott has very little to do with his Arsenal career. It's mainly all Southampton and just flashes for Arsenal. My aim here is just to pick up your point as to perhaps why he gets more time. I don't believe currently he justifies a place in the first XI. Same as I don't think a team who wants to win the PL and CL can do so with Song, Denilson and Bendtner as mainstays in the side.

However whilst I would be ok with any or all 3 of those being upgraded in a transfer window, I'd still gove Walcott more time. Not an infinate amount of time. Just a bit more.

[SteveO 35]

He's about as handy as a handbrake on a canoe

[Pilly]

He's about as handy as a handbrake on a canoe

About as useful as Anne Frank's drum kit...

[Magic Hat]

As i said above, that point doesnt seem to translate when it is Bendtner, Song, Denilson etc - why should it for Walcott?

Bendtner is erratic. Song was derided till he really started hitting form at 21 and he is still defensively negligent, at the same age Walcott is now most people would have sold him to anyone. His improvement was rather sudden and who is to say Walcott won't get that once he is older and gets over the injuries? Denilson is a useful player who has regressed as an attacking force though greatly improved after he got a whole season at cm. Walcott can't even get 5 games together right now, bit of a difference

and some players do develop slower then others. Are the players you listed better then Walcott right now? Yes that is certainly so, I have never said otherwise I think. I'm merely saying don't say Walcott will never make it just yet

[Jumpers For Goalposts]

He's about as handy as a handbrake on a canoe

About as useful as Anne Frank's drum kit...

Quality!! And yet more quality!!

Trouble is - so many Gooners are prepared to accept the shite we are being served up.

The simple reason that we have been off the pace for a few years now is that we (or should I say Arsene) are relying on too many average players, rather than hard-nosed winners like Martin Keown or Patrick Vieira.

And we are paying salaries to those average players that no other club would even contemplate paying.

[treygoony]

So much Theo hate in here!

[Radford149]

So much Theo hate in here!

radford suggest that at £60,000 theo theo either needs to deliver or fuck off

[g88ner]

radford suggest that at £60,000 theo theo either needs to deliver or fuck off

"Radford wants Theo to deliver, and he wants it NOW!!" ... sadly, back in the real world, Theo's had his Arsenal career pretty much destroyed by injury, so it's common sense that he'll have a long road ahead of him before he reaches his full potential (same goes for Djourou, Diaby & Eduardo)

I don't get the animosity towards him, as we all know he's been almost permanently injured, and has only had a career in fits & starts. Yet, despite this, he seems a decent and honest lad... but the knives are well and truely out, and I think that's a shame.

I doubt he'll live up to his 'wonderkid' tag, but the hype surrounding him has always been well over the top, anyway.

And as for the fee we paid... it was a gamble that Wenger took, and I don't expect all his transfers to be a huge success. I still think Wenger has a v ery good record when buying players, so the odd hiccup is understandable. But, anyway, the fee wasn't even that excessive for an Englishman! it was only large by 'bargain basement' Arsenal standards and he did cost much less than Bent, Pavlychenko, Bentley, etc. - and I bet he'd worth a bit if sold, even now!