WALCOTT - which position is best etc?

[North-Bank-1987]

Prior to RVP moving I was not to bothered if we sold Walnut, when all the 100k a week talk was going on at the end of last season I could not justify paying him that much.

Now on the other hand, after the sale of rvp and due to the fact that I think Walcotts improved over the last 12 months, I would be bitterly dissapointed if we got rid of him.

Although there does have to be some sort of comprimise about this cf position, if we go and buy a decent forward in Jan. then Theo is still going to be playing second fiddle, which imo is the right thing to do, get a decent striker, use Walcott wide, whilst also being second choice up front. That, or have him playing off a striker with 2 upfront.

Either way I don't really know what is taking so long, whether it's Theo's agents taking the piss holding out for rvp doe, or if it's our board that are content on fcuking this one (like many others) up.

[donaldo]

On your point of how do we keep our best players you get in a manager who looks on 4th as failure

We all want that, but we also know that day isn't coming any time soon. In the meantime I would prefer us to keep hold of the best players we've got rather than participate in Wenger's self harm rush of completing other team's squads

Yeah like offering Sagna a one year deal then giving Jenkinson Gibbs and Ramsey long term deals there is end to it SteveO

[SteveO 35]

On your point of how do we keep our best players you get in a manager who looks on 4th as failure

We all want that, but we also know that day isn't coming any time soon. In the meantime I would prefer us to keep hold of the best players we've got rather than participate in Wenger's self harm rush of completing other team's squads

Yeah like offering Sagna a one year deal then giving Jenkinson Gibbs and Ramsey long term deals there is end to it SteveO

The Sagna point is something everybody agrees with, so not sure what your point is. So you think Wenger is going before the Summer of 2014 then, despite his usual comments about honouring his contract and the openly gushing praise from the board and the CEO?

When is the end to it then?

[donaldo]

Either way I don't really know what is taking so long, whether it's Theo's agents taking the piss holding out for rvp doe, or if it's our board that are content on fcuking this one (like many others) up.

You kidding me? This hasnt happened overnight.Arsenal have known for 18 months what Walcott wanted.Why would his agent tell him to sign a contract worth £75k a week when if he holds out for a year he gets a £10m signing on fee as he is free and a £100k a week.Walcott could have left last summer but would have missed out on that signing on fee.Ker ching.And dont no one tell me its about playing upfront

[donaldo]

On your point of how do we keep our best players you get in a manager who looks on 4th as failure

We all want that, but we also know that day isn't coming any time soon. In the meantime I would prefer us to keep hold of the best players we've got rather than participate in Wenger's self harm rush of completing other team's squads

Yeah like offering Sagna a one year deal then giving Jenkinson Gibbs and Ramsey long term deals there is end to it SteveO

The Sagna point is something everybody agrees with, so not sure what your point is. So you think Wenger is going before the Summer of 2014 then, despite his usual comments about honouring his contract and the openly gushing praise from the board and the CEO?

When is the end to it then?

I should have said NO end to it .Wenger will still be here in 2017

[QuartzGooner]

Frank

We could debate his 'quality" for ages but I am baffled how you blame him for lack of effort versus Wigan?

He made the runs he was supposed to make for the position he played in.

He is not supposed to chase back to the half way line more than once or twice in a game, he is to use his energy for short bursts of high pace into space, which is what I saw him do.

When I played up front, on my own (many seasons ago now) and the ball wasn't appearing anywhere near me, I was always told to ''go looking for the ball'' Wally Walcott didn't do this, hence the reference to his lack of effort. I

I saw it differently.

I saw him making runs for Cazorla, Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain to feed him the ball.
For too long we have lacked an out ball in the final quarter, so many times our wide men get forward and have no one to pass or cross too.

Him staying up front at least keeps some of the opposition defence occupied, gives them something to think about.

As for his wage, I think 100k is fair.
But if I was Wenger/Gazidis/Law I would start him on 75 for year one, 80 for year two, 100 for year three, 115 for year four, 130 for year five.
A rising wage to offer incentive.

Donaldo

I reckon it is about money AND the opportunity to play up front sometimes.

[franksav63]

Frank

We could debate his 'quality" for ages but I am baffled how you blame him for lack of effort versus Wigan?

He made the runs he was supposed to make for the position he played in.

He is not supposed to chase back to the half way line more than once or twice in a game, he is to use his energy for short bursts of high pace into space, which is what I saw him do.

When I played up front, on my own (many seasons ago now) and the ball wasn't appearing anywhere near me, I was always told to ''go looking for the ball'' Wally Walcott didn't do this, hence the reference to his lack of effort. I

I saw it differently.

I saw him making runs for Cazorla, Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain to feed him the ball.
For too long we have lacked an out ball in the final quarter, so many times our wide men get forward and have no one to pass or cross too.

Him staying up front at least keeps some of the opposition defence occupied, gives them something to think about.

As for his wage, I think 100k is fair.
But if I was Wenger/Gazidis/Law I would start him on 75 for year one, 80 for year two, 100 for year three, 115 for year four, 130 for year five.
A rising wage to offer incentive.

Donaldo

I reckon it is about money AND the opportunity to play up front sometimes.

I suppose our views on him are clouded by whether one wants him to stay or not, I don't, hence I saw it as I did!! He should be doing alot more in my opinion, it's not alot to ask, is it?

[Its Up 4 Grabs Now]

He showed some good movement in the box and generally came alive whenever it looked like we had a break on but I don't think he did enough overall. Not for a guy who's waited so long to play in the position he wants to, and not for a guy either trying to justify a big pay rise or prove himself as a first-choice striker to potential suitors. I don't think he made the right runs to offer an outlet or run into the channels etc. I'd guess that’s more down to lack of nous and his unsuitability to the lone role than purely lack of effort but either way I thought he was generally poor yesterday.

And I certainly wouldn't expect or want him tracking all the way back a la Henry or Grannybandit but I would expect him to close down the defenders in his general vicinity, especially when we're under the cosh & the opposition are dominating possession so easily. This happened several times at 1-0 up, strolling around with a Wigan CB in possession 10 yards away. Where was the hunger of a guy finally given the chance to prove himself in "his" position after countless years of telling everyone about it?

I'd rather we kept him (& never thought I would) and would be happy enough in the circumstances to give him a go up front as part of a pairing or on his own against certain opposition but for me Podolski still looks the best bet of what's available for playing that lone role on a regular basis. Put Walcott on the left and let the two interchange.

[QuartzGooner]

I'd rather we kept him (& never thought I would) and would be happy enough in the circumstances to give him a go up front as part of a pairing or on his own against certain opposition but for me Podolski still looks the best bet of what's available for playing that lone role on a regular basis. Put Walcott on the left and let the two interchange.

That is sensible. Would be happy with that.

[oboe123]

i don t think wenger really rates walcott down he middle.He is playing him there now to try and persuade him to sign new contract.

[Rugby Gooner]

Why is Wenger massaging Walcotts ego? It's about his wedge,not what position he is playing!!!
Sell the greedy wanker,and see if he gets a guarantee from another Club about the position he will play!!!

[shu]

Yes it is about the money , nothing else. He will move and get another £50k per week elsewhere.

[shu]

He has just scored again , make that 60 k per week

[QuartzGooner]

Why is Wenger massaging Walcotts ego? It's about his wedge,not what position he is playing!!!
Sell the greedy wanker,and see if he gets a guarantee from another Club about the position he will play!!!

Players are about money yes, but not just money.
Arteta came to us for Champions League football and took a pay cut.

Said it to Augie and will say it again, I do not think 100k per week demands are greedy. (if that is what he is asking, and we only know what the papers print).
We have the cash, rather see Theo get a pay rise than continue to fund Squillachi and Chamakh and portions of Denilson and Park's wages.

Plus Theo is worth that in the market; an eloquent, on form, young England team regular with no press scandals, is worth more than 100k per week in today's market.

[Yankee_Gooner_Dandee]

he's worth it. its not a ridiculous wage demand in todays world. can see him getting better up front with more experience.