Theo OUT

[Radford149]

worthing_gooner wrote

hopefully his confidence isnt completely shattered

Others have written that they are gutted for Theo. Me too.

Forget football for a second: this is a young guy whose hopes were raised by Sven, taken to the 2006 World Cup - and didn't get on the pitch. Now once again his hopes have been raised and dashed to the ground, for what is beginning to look like a "show him who is boss" reaction from Capello (if the report is true). Sympathetic, nurturing management? Vomit.

And for what has Theo been left out? SWP - OK, but Emile Heskey? Two goals - Azerbaijan and Burnley and (according to 5 Live yesterday) 8 shots on target all season!

Theo hasn't had a good season, though he has had a few good assists and goals and with a bit more accuracy from Bendtner those stats might be even better. So for those of you who think this is good for Arsenal, I hope Theo's confidence is not completely destroyed.

It's put me off all things World Cup for now, but if the interest does return - as I think it will - I think I might support Leo Messi and Argentina rather than Lumpard, Cashley, Wayno and the lumbering Emile.

how can you feel sorry for this waste of space asks radford. walnut has consistantly failed, failed failed and yet he keeps on picking up a whopping £65,000 a week.

he's fucking rubbish

Because he comes across as a decent lad, and a football player that is down to earth. How many football players can you say that about nowadays? Compare him to the likes of bentley and pennant and you'll see the difference in their attitudes and how some let the fame get to their heads, whilst in walcott's case he's kept his feet on the ground. Don't see him stumbling out of any nightclubs, haven't seen him shagging his team mates' mrs, havent seen him have any run ins with the law.
And if you can't have a bit of sympathy for a young lad who's just missed out on what most people dream about happening to them, then frankly youre a bit of a c**t.

radford says do me a favour. he has paid to see this joke and you expect sympathy. if that makes radford a *word censored* then *word censored* he is. but to extol sympathy just because he seems like such a nice boy is frankly pathetic.

he's not going because he's shit and that is all that should matter. radford would have sympathy for the likes of johnson or even the **** dawson who actually have ability.

[Radford149]

Theo Walnut is never going to be good enough because he is totally clueless end of

The fact that the club have decided to pay this cretin 65K a week alongside many other clueless players sums up everything that is wrong with present day Arsenal FC

From the manager to the board, the ability of most of the playing squad to the way the club treats it's traditional core support, our once great club is totally fucked up

No more home games for me, same as last season, as I'm not prepared to pay anything more towards these failed projects & ego's!!!!

radford totally agrees

[Rob]

Because he comes across as a decent lad, and a football player that is down to earth. How many football players can you say that about nowadays? Compare him to the likes of bentley and pennant and you'll see the difference in their attitudes and how some let the fame get to their heads, whilst in walcott's case he's kept his feet on the ground. Don't see him stumbling out of any nightclubs, haven't seen him shagging his team mates' mrs, havent seen him have any run ins with the law.
And if you can't have a bit of sympathy for a young lad who's just missed out on what most people dream about happening to them, then frankly youre a bit of a c**t.

So he's a decent lad with his feet on the ground is he ?

And where were his feet - as opposed to his ego - when Wenger publicly and privately told him this time last year not to go on the England under 21 tournament, because having just handed him a 5 year £3 million per year contract, he - Wenger - felt his - Walcott's - priorities should be Arsenal; and not something else ?

Walcott thought he knew better. And the result was injury, followed by missing pre-season, followed by lack of practice followed by injury.....etc etc.

If he's so demure - as you suggest - why do we see lots of him in Nike Ads, OK Magazine with his dippy bird and Beckhamesqe ventures into publishing kids books (which are ghost written for him !).

Wouldn't it be nice if we saw him out on the pitch playing well for Arsenal ? Or is that just superfluous to the lifestyle choices, he otherwise prefers ?

If he wants a roll model, forget Beckham and try DB10. Arsenal to the core. Total commitment. Astonishing skill, Real dedication. And NO ego.


As it now is, he's on the slippery slope to nowhere and he needs to be - just like DB10 - first on the training ground and last off it come pre season - and indeed the real season, until next May - because he has an awful lot of catching up to do.

[Irish Gooner]

Leave the rose tinters.

They will all stack up club level next season waving their free scarfs, singing "Theo Theo Walcott" and leaving 20 minutes before the end because x factor is on.

[QuartzGooner]

So he's a decent lad with his feet on the ground is he ?

And where were his feet - as opposed to his ego - when Wenger publicly and privately told him this time last year not to go on the England under 21 tournament, because having just handed him a 5 year £3 million per year contract, he - Wenger - felt his - Walcott's - priorities should be Arsenal; and not something else ?


QUARTZ SAYS:

It is believed he was put under pressure by the FA to compete in the tournament, and my guess is he would think not competing would affect his world cup chances.

Walcott thought he knew better. And the result was injury, followed by missing pre-season, followed by lack of practice followed by injury.....etc etc.

If he's so demure - as you suggest - why do we see lots of him in Nike Ads, OK Magazine with his dippy bird and Beckhamesqe ventures into publishing kids books (which are ghost written for him !).


QUARTZ SAYS:

He is a very down to earth bloke. If he is able to earn a few quid advertising sports gear or England related products (Nationwide ad), or fronting some kids books about football then good luck to him.
His "bird" is far from dippy, she is a physiotherapy student.

Wouldn't it be nice if we saw him out on the pitch playing well for Arsenal ? Or is that just superfluous to the lifestyle choices, he otherwise prefers ?

QUARTZ SAYS:

Walcott has come back from serious shoulder injuries. That would have taken a lot of hard work in the gym and rehab. Whilst his skill is debatable, no one can accuse him of not running around the pitch.


If he wants a roll model, forget Beckham and try DB10. Arsenal to the core. Total commitment. Astonishing skill, Real dedication. And NO ego.

QUARTZ SAYS:

You think DB10 had no ego! Get real. I have met both, Walcott was very down to earth.


As it now is, he's on the slippery slope to nowhere and he needs to be - just like DB10 - first on the training ground and last off it come pre season - and indeed the real season, until next May - because he has an awful lot of catching up to do.

QUARTZ SAYS:

Agree that he needs to work hard pre season and hopefully it will be good for him and Arsenal.

[Pilly]

Because he comes across as a decent lad, and a football player that is down to earth. How many football players can you say that about nowadays? Compare him to the likes of bentley and pennant and you'll see the difference in their attitudes and how some let the fame get to their heads, whilst in walcott's case he's kept his feet on the ground. Don't see him stumbling out of any nightclubs, haven't seen him shagging his team mates' mrs, havent seen him have any run ins with the law.
And if you can't have a bit of sympathy for a young lad who's just missed out on what most people dream about happening to them, then frankly youre a bit of a c**t.

I think that's part of his problem. He's too nice, too middle class and dare I say it too white. What he needs is a big fuck off Ian Wright size chip on his shoulder. Then he'd actually be a half decent player.

[safcftm]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... hance.html

This sounds most likely. Anyone who saw his rugby post-esque crosses at Burnley last December will know exactly how bad his crossing is, even when under no pressure at all.

Agreed- I remember at the Arsenal v Sunderland game at the Emirates, he managed to absolutely torture our left back all game but then, when it came to what should be the more simple task of putting the ball into the danger area, he was overhitting crosses, or crossing behind people etc. One of the worst displays of crossing i have ever seen from a winger

The fact is, he isnt ready to play for england on the right wing. I am no fan of SWP, but when he comes on at least he looks at home in the position, he takes men on as opposed to just hitting it forward and using his one asset (pace) to get there. His delivery into the box is, whilst inconsistent, also of a higher standard than walcott's

I have always thought that Theo is a striker, and probably Wenger thinks so too but wants him to learn his game on the wing before moving him up front when he has developed a bit more physically.

I think that he is worth Wenger sticking with him, in a few years he might be playing in the championship having never managed to improve the flaws in his game, or he might be one of the top premier league players having added trickery and delivery to his arsenal (no pun intended). Wenger should stick with him for now, but he isnt ready to represent his country at this stage

[Radford149]

Because he comes across as a decent lad, and a football player that is down to earth. How many football players can you say that about nowadays? Compare him to the likes of bentley and pennant and you'll see the difference in their attitudes and how some let the fame get to their heads, whilst in walcott's case he's kept his feet on the ground. Don't see him stumbling out of any nightclubs, haven't seen him shagging his team mates' mrs, havent seen him have any run ins with the law.
And if you can't have a bit of sympathy for a young lad who's just missed out on what most people dream about happening to them, then frankly youre a bit of a c**t.

I think that's part of his problem. He's too nice, too middle class and dare I say it too white. What he needs is a big fuck off Ian Wright size chip on his shoulder. Then he'd actually be a half decent player.

radford can tell youn that he could have the biggest chip ever on his shoulder but that will not make up for a clear lack of ability and talent.

[proudtosaythatname]

Everyone continues to post about Theo's footballing ability - or alleged lack of it.

I was talking more about treating a pleasant young man with decency, respect and compassion than about footballing ability.

If Theo can't cross a ball properly what the f*** was he even doing in Austria?

If F*C* was a REAL competent man manager he would have had the guts to tell Theo to his face - not by mobile phone when he is playing golf. A quiet compassionate man-to-man was what was needed.

The Croatia game, plus his goals in Cardiff etc shows that Theo potentially does have it in him but Theo needs motivating not destroying.

[QuartzGooner]

The Croatia game, plus his goals in Cardiff etc shows that Theo potentially does have it in him but Theo needs motivating not destroying.

That's what I was talking about with a fellow Arsenal fan at work today.

He clearly has the ability, but he needs to add confidence and consistency.

[Magic Hat]

It is believed he was put under pressure by the FA to compete in the tournament, and my guess is he would think not competing would affect his world cup chances.

Throw in the possibility that he saw it as opportunity of playing for his country, maybe he felt that Pearce has helped him through some tough times and that he owed the manager to help out.

I question how helpful Capello using him in senior's at the same time was but think Walcott did the right thing.

[1989]

Walcott is getting hammered left right and center at the moment. This will be a test of his character, if he comes out of it all guns blazing, then he really is the real deal and we would be right to have been patient for so long, although I suspect this will be the beginning of the end for him, sadly, as he seems a genuinely decent human being.

[MM99]

So he's a decent lad with his feet on the ground is he ?

And where were his feet - as opposed to his ego - when Wenger publicly and privately told him this time last year not to go on the England under 21 tournament, because having just handed him a 5 year £3 million per year contract, he - Wenger - felt his - Walcott's - priorities should be Arsenal; and not something else ?

Walcott thought he knew better. And the result was injury, followed by missing pre-season, followed by lack of practice followed by injury.....etc etc.

WTF has that got to do with him having an 'ego'? Is wanting to play for your country an ego issue now? No. It's just a player who wanted to represent his country. How that amounts to having an ego i will never know.

If he's so demure - as you suggest - why do we see lots of him in Nike Ads, OK Magazine with his dippy bird and Beckhamesqe ventures into publishing kids books (which are ghost written for him !).

Firstly, considering i've got quite an interest in Nike and their advertising and player promotions, i think i'm quite informed on this topic. The first problem with what you say here is that Walcott actually doesn't feature in that many ads. He was in one predominant one, yet that also included the whole squad of Man Utd and Arsenal, as well as Arsene Wenger. So a bit unfair to dig him out on that one alone.
Secondly, Cesc does way more advertising that Walcott does. As did Henry when he was with us with the Mercurial Vapor boots. You wouldn't call those players as having an ego problem, would you? Just because someone does adverts does not negate to having an ego problem.

Wouldn't it be nice if we saw him out on the pitch playing well for Arsenal ? Or is that just superfluous to the lifestyle choices, he otherwise prefers ?

Yes it would be. However, he simply doesn't have the ability to do so. You can't criticise a player for not being a world beater, when he simply isn't good enough. It's his ability that should be questioned, not his commitment to the cause.
Also, on your second point, what superfluous lifestyle choices? Sure, he bought his mrs a ferrari, and put yourself in his position, if you had that much money would you not spend it on fast cars or gifts for your mrs in the hope she spreads her legs the following night? These are not extreme things for someone in his position with that much money. All you can judge him on is his behaviour, and his behaviour has been pretty much spot on. You take the piss out of him for writing his own childrens books, well would you rather he be falling out of a club pissed out his head? Or to be caught up on some drunk driving charge? Or to smash his car and write it off? These are the norms of many footballers, and the fact that Walcott hasn't done anything like that would suggest that he's got his head firmly on.
In all honesty, i've never seen an interview where he's come across as a knobhead, he seems to be a quiet lad that in all fairness to him goes about his work in a professional manner.
Sure, we can slag him off for running into defenders countless times, and for being frustrating to watch, but like i said before, his inability to be a world class footballer should not amount to him being labelled a *word censored* or make him void of any sympathy. This is the point that Radford seems to be missing. Just because Walcott is not producing what is required at this top level, it does not mean that all of a sudden he should be hated. If he was doing an Adebayor and strolling around like a lazy *word censored* then fair game, he would deserve not to go to the world cup, and deserve to be slagged off to the heavens, but when, in my personal opinion, he seems to be trying his hardest when he's out on the pitch, then there is no need to slag him off like that, because at the end of the day he simply isn't a world class player and that isn't his fault.

[Vince]

If he wants to play for France, he's welcome!

[I Hate Hleb]

Nicely put MM99.