Alex Oxlade Chamberlain

[franksav63]

"Wenger won't play the ox because if he does it will look like he bought a really great talent. If he waits and doesn't play him at all until next season then it will look like Wenger nurtured and produced a great talent and that's what he wants everyone to think. "

Bang on STL, it seriously looks to me like Wenger is more interested in advancing his personal reputation than Arsenal succeeding.

Interesting and rather disturbing theory, and it's sad that you both think Wenger is that selfish and petty that he would purposely hold back a young talent for personal gain - you're basically accusing him of sabotaging Arsenal football club and the career of a young lad who we spent serious money on.

I find it hard to believe though. Surely it's more likely that he just doesn't think he's ready yet? - after all, he is only 18 and only signed in the summer.

Perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to accuse Wenger of such a serious breach of football ethics?

Similar accusations were made at the start of last season, about Wenger holding back Wilshere because he was English. As we now now, Wilshere is a key first team regular at 19, so it now seems those people were wrong about Wenger... I think, in time, people will realise Wenger isn't trying to sabotage Chamberlain's career either.

I don't know, you'd think Wenger was the devil if you went off what some people post on here

Wasn't this the same Wenger who gave Ericsson the go ahead for Walcott to be picked for the World Cup squad at 17 before he had even kicked a ball.

The Ox has showed potential and some class even in the brief appearances and CC games already, he deserves at least some game time from the bench.

[g88ner]

Wasn't this the same Wenger who gave Ericsson the go ahead for Walcott to be picked for the World Cup squad at 17 before he had even kicked a ball.

The Ox has showed potential and some class even in the brief appearances and CC games already, he deserves at least some game time from the bench.

I agree, I'd like to see Chamberlain from the bench but just because Wenger doesn't agree, that doesn't necessarily mean Wenger is out to sabotage Arsenal and Chamberlain just for some sick twisted personal desire to get kudos for developing him himself.

It's too far fetched for me.

That's all I'm saying.

And yes, Wenger did have a conversation with Eriksson about taking Theo to the world cup. Not sure that makes him some sort of hypocrite though, which is what I assume you're getting at? after all, Erikkson picked the squad, not Wenger. Lets not forget that. Wenger only gave his opinion.

Anyway, perhaps he'll have a similar conversation with Capello if Fabio decides he wants to take Chamberlain as a wildcard to the Euro's? I doubt Capello would take him though. Too much of a gamble.

[franksav63]

Wasn't this the same Wenger who gave Ericsson the go ahead for Walcott to be picked for the World Cup squad at 17 before he had even kicked a ball.

The Ox has showed potential and some class even in the brief appearances and CC games already, he deserves at least some game time from the bench.

I agree, I'd like to see Chamberlain from the bench but just because Wenger doesn't agree, that doesn't necessarily mean Wenger is out to sabotage Arsenal and Chamberlain just for some sick twisted personal desire to get kudos for developing him himself.

It's too far fetched for me.

That's all I'm saying.

And yes, Wenger did have a conversation with Eriksson about taking Theo to the world cup. Not sure that makes him some kind of hypocrite though, which is what I assume you're getting at? Perhaps he'll have a similar conversation with Capello if Fabio decides he wants to take Chamberlain as a wildcard to the Euro's?

Knowing Wenger, he'll probably say take him.... not good enough to play for The Arsenal but ok to play international football for Engeerrland... Wenger appears to have his own agenda these days, it's his way or no way, so no it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this happened.

[g88ner]

Knowing Wenger, he'll probably say take him.... not good enough to play for The Arsenal but ok to play international football for Engeerrland... Wenger appears to have his own agenda these days, it's his way or no way, so no it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this happened.

I'd say most club managers have their own agenda, don't they? that's why we didn't want Wilshere spending the summer with the U21s and going to the Olympics . It wouldn't be in the best interests of Arsenal.

So yes, perhaps when Wenger was asked by Erikkson if Theo could be a useful wildcard at the World Cup, maybe his eyes were wide with delight at how that would help Theo's development FOR ARSENAL.

And yes, maybe he'd think the same with Chamberlain.

And if so, what's the problem with that?? - I'm happy if our manager puts Arsenal ahead of England.

I don't see that as a negative really.

In fact, if I was a footballer and I found out my club manager was talking the international coach OUT of picking me for a world cup/Euro's then I'd be furious, and would consider it a betrayal. So, good on Wenger if you ask me

[franksav63]

Knowing Wenger, he'll probably say take him.... not good enough to play for The Arsenal but ok to play international football for Engeerrland... Wenger appears to have his own agenda these days, it's his way or no way, so no it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this happened.

I'd say most club managers have their own agenda, don't they? that's why we didn't want Wilshere spending the summer with the U21s and going to the Olympics . It wouldn't be in the best interests of Arsenal.

So yes, perhaps when Wenger was asked by Erikkson if Theo could be a useful wildcard at the World Cup, maybe his eyes were wide with delight at how that would help Theo's development FOR ARSENAL.

And yes, maybe he'd think the same with Chamberlain.

And if so, what's the problem with that?? - I'm happy if our manager puts Arsenal ahead of England.

I don't see that as a negative really.

In fact, if I was a footballer and I found out my club manager was talking the international coach OUT of picking me for a world cup/Euro's then I'd be furious, and would consider it a betrayal. So, good on Wenger if you ask me

But it wasn't good for Theo x's 2 development was it? So Wenger got that wrong and even you must admit that Ox looks, at this stage, far more advanced that Walcott ever was, even a blind man can see that, so this makes Wenger not playing him even more bizarre. Ox is a better option from the bench than Arshavin, Benayoun, Park and Chamakh and that's a fact, it's a dereliction of duty on Wenger's part and shows him to be a stubborn, arrogant bastard even more.

[arsenalmorris]

This kid must be in despair seeing the shit that is above him in the pecking line keeping him out,

i honestly think if i was in charge he would be starting everygame,

Arshavin, Walnott and Gerv are really not producing the goods

[g88ner]

double post

[g88ner]

But it wasn't good for Theo x's 2 development was it? So Wenger got that wrong.

I'm not sure if Wenger got it wrong or not - nor why we should even care? Ultimately, Wenger only gave an opinion; it was Erikkson who picked the squad.

But anyway, is it realistic - or even right - to expect a club manager to convince an international coach NOT to take one of his players to a world cup... a competition that is the pinnacle of a players career?

If Wenger discouraged Erikkson to take Theo, then Theo may quite rightly consider that a betrayal.

I honestly don't have a problem with Wenger not discouraging Erikkson to take Theo.

I also don't think Wenger would discourage Capello from taking Chamberlain, either.

[franksav63]

But it wasn't good for Theo x's 2 development was it? So Wenger got that wrong.

I'm not sure if Wenger got it wrong or not - nor why we should even care? Ultimately, Wenger only gave an opinion; it was Erikkson who picked the squad.

But anyway, is it realistic - or even right - to expect a club manager to convince an international coach NOT to take one of his players to a world cup... a competition that is the pinnacle of a players career?

If Wenger discouraged Erikkson to take Theo, then Theo may quite rightly consider that a betrayal.

I honestly don't have a problem with Wenger not discouraging Erikkson to take Theo. I'm also a little confused why it's a problem for you?

I also don't think Wenger would discourage Capello from taking Chamberlain, either.

.... I think that at the age of 17 and before he had kick a ball in the premiership, Wenger should have told Ericsson to fuck off, it hasn't helped Walcott's development at all, in fact, it could well have had a detremental effect and we're perhaps, witnessing these effects now in his 'performances' he doesn't seem to have improved one iota, in fact he's regressed alarmingly.

[g88ner]

I'm having a nightmare here... double post, again.

[g88ner]

But it wasn't good for Theo x's 2 development was it? So Wenger got that wrong.

I'm not sure if Wenger got it wrong or not - nor why we should even care? Ultimately, Wenger only gave an opinion; it was Erikkson who picked the squad.

But anyway, is it realistic - or even right - to expect a club manager to convince an international coach NOT to take one of his players to a world cup... a competition that is the pinnacle of a players career?

If Wenger discouraged Erikkson to take Theo, then Theo may quite rightly consider that a betrayal.

I honestly don't have a problem with Wenger not discouraging Erikkson to take Theo. I'm also a little confused why it's a problem for you?

I also don't think Wenger would discourage Capello from taking Chamberlain, either.

.... I think that at the age of 17 and before he had kick a ball in the premiership, Wenger should have told Ericsson to fuck off, it hasn't helped Walcott's development at all, in fact, it could well have had a detremental effect and we're perhaps, witnessing these effects now in his 'performances' he doesn't seem to have improved one iota, in fact he's regressed alarmingly.

I guess we'll never know.

Would explain why Theo never did become the next Henry though, I suppose

[Percy Dalton]

At Theo's current age Henry hadn't even had the chance to be a massive flop playing out wide in Italy so maybe it is too early to judge?

[g88ner]

At Theo's current age Henry hadn't even had the chance to be a massive flop playing out wide in Italy so maybe it is too early to judge?

true

[franksav63]

At Theo's current age Henry hadn't even had the chance to be a massive flop playing out wide in Italy so maybe it is too early to judge?

true

I wish it was true, but I just don't think he'll make it, he's still learning his trade after around 6 seasons at our club, he has pace yes, but no tricks, no control, can't pass, can shoot properly or cross the ball. there's not much to work on really other than his writing career.

[SteveO 35]

At least the Ox will feed the "he develops youth talent" myth that surrounds the Self Harmer.

I had the misfortune of having to take my son into the Armoury before the QPR game and they actually sell a T-shirt that reads "We don't buy superstars....we make them"

How fucking inaccurate and small time can you get. Tell me the last superstar striker that we 'made'