Walcott (centre forward)

RioGooner · Post by **RioGooner** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:40 pm

I think that if we are to play 4-4-2 we'd be better off shiting vPersie to his original supporting striker role and signing a real goalscorer as the likes of cavani.

Don't think Theo has the regularity or quality in the final pass to play in such an important role.

SWLGooner · Post by **SWLGooner** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:54 pm

I've been saying this for absolutely ages.

Would love us to play 4-4-2, in the same style as United to, hit teams on the break, fast, devastating, like the Invincibles were.

RvP in the Bergkamp role, Theo in the TH14 role. He's showed that he can finish fantastically well when played through the middle. Give the lad a chance.

Norfolk_Gooner1 · Post by **Norfolk_Gooner1** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:01 pm

ThomasMitchell · Post by **ThomasMitchell** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:57 pm

Walcott is hopeless. A very average player with little, if any, footballing intelligence. He should be playing somewhere like Wolves. A total waste of space who shows the odd flash of skill but will never do it on a regular basis. Sadly we are going to have to suffer him for years to come. He is a reflection of everything that is wrong with our Club - overrated and overpaid.

Aaron11 · Post by **Aaron11** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:42 am

Give him a go upfront cant be much worse than seeing him outwide failing to put a decent ball in for a stranded RVP,also with the likes of ramsey and arteta putting balls in hopefully he will score a few goals like he did against the s**m away last season,but all you guys are right wenger wont give him a decent go anywhere other than on the wing because wenger only has a plan A and if it doesnt involve wenger playing a player where HE thinks is best then it wont happen,another example of that arrogant c**t thinking he knows best!!!

King Vieira · Post by **King Vieira** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:01 am

It needs to be given ago, its obvious he's not a winger, I too would like the 4-4-2 to return. He's got decent finishing too.

worthing_gooner · Post by **worthing_gooner** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:24 pm

King Vieira wrote:It needs to be given ago, its obvious he's not a winger, I too would like the 4-4-2 to return. He's got decent finishing too.

This is the thing. Theo has been written off by a lot of people because he didn't turn into TH14 when he joined from Southampton.

I think generally speaking the lad has done well. Sure he goes missing a lot on the wing, but FFS he isn't a winger!

When he was at Southampton he was a striker, through the middle, a nightmare to defend against because of his pace and despite what people say, he was a natural finisher.

Wenger brings him to AFC and sticks him wide right, where he's been ever since, then people slate him for not being able to take a man on or cross the ball.

Since when should an out and out striker be able to stick in pin-point crosses or have the tricks to pass a player on the wing? That's what wingers are for

Whenever he's played more through the middle, he's shown that he has the ability to make smart runs and is a bloody good finisher. Last season he grabbed a hat trick against Blackpool with three excellent finishes - third one in particular.

He made another great run and finish against Newcastle, another against Chelsea at home, one in the CL away against Shaktar, a great finish against Fulham in the final game of the season and another great run and finish against Sp*rs.

For someone playing on the right wing with no footballing brain and who is appaently shit, 38 games, 13 goals and 8 assists in all comps is a bloody good return IMO.

This season he's also done well - 8 games, 3 goals and an assist - including the goals which mean we're in the CL group stages. That run and finish away to Udinese was absolute quality.

People need to cut him a bit of a break, I think he'd be excellent through the middle off RVP. His pace would also mean the defenders would drop deeper, giving our midfield more time on the ball - at the moment with just RVP up top, they can push practically to the half way line.

Post by **Barriecuda** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 3:57 pm

His inconsistent finishing ability makes me concerned about his potential use as a CF. Look at the breakaway today.

Its Up 4 Grabs Now · Post by **Its Up 4 Grabs Now** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 4:04 pm

I think if anything what today showed is that regardless of whether he's played up front or out wide he should still be able to get in behind the defence if he makes the right runs (instead of man-marking the linesman) and if we play the right ball at the right time. Second half we were constantly playing him in with early slide-rule balls in behind either the left CB or the full-back. Obviously the sending off & being a goal up helped open up the space but Walcott being in the mood to get involved & us moving the ball quicker was the major difference.

I'd still give him a go up front but more so cos I want us to go 4-4-2 than anything else.

Gunnersaurus · Post by **Gunnersaurus** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 4:28 pm

Showed today why it will never happen, sooner Chamberlin replaces him the better.

Bendtners Drinking Buddy · Sat Sep 24, 2011 4:35 pm

I dont buy this "played out of postion" argument.

He is not playing as a winger, he is playing as part of a front three - he has freedom to come in, dictate the game, get on the ball and make things happen - which he does not do.

If you take the "winger argument" look at Ljungberg, Pires, Overmars - even Wiltord - all influenced games from the flanks - of course they were world class players so it is a little unfair to compare, but if your good enough you will influence the game wherever you play. Walcott is playing upfront and does not do enough to justify his starting lineup berth for me, he is a good impact sub, granted - but as a first team regular? Not for me.

He had so much space today it was unreal, one assist apart he looked very ordinary - and for someone who spouts on about wanting to play up front all the time he doesnt half waste some chances you would expect your centre forward to take.

Dan_85 · Post by **Dan_85** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 4:53 pm

Gunnersaurus wrote:Showed today why it will never happen, sooner Chamberlin replaces him the better.

Agreed, his finishing was toss today. The next Henry? Do me a favour...

worthing_gooner · Post by **worthing_gooner** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 4:55 pm

He had a good game today I thought. Granted he missed the 1v1 but his assist for RVP's second was top class and at the end of the day he does get into those goalscoring positions which is more than we can say about the majority of our other "attacking" midfielders.

cheryl_wants_eboue · Post by **cheryl_wants_eboue** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 5:20 pm

Sure his 1v1 was terrible today, but he's an instinctive finisher...Needs to work on situations where he's got time in training. However the sending off showed just how devastating his pace can be for defenders..

Theo through the middle, RVP Bergkamp role, Gervinho/Ryo and Ox on the wings... Back to the good old counter attacking days

ThomasMitchell · Post by **ThomasMitchell** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 5:56 pm

Dan_85 wrote:
Gunnersaurus wrote:Showed today why it will never happen, sooner Chamberlin replaces him the better.
Agreed, his finishing was toss today. The next Henry? Do me a favour...

Agreed again. He was poor today. He will never be a top player for us. Just very, very average.