WTTGT Writer: Reiss Silva
“This year I’m just going to get out there and show people what I can do.”
This was what Theo Walcott had to say after being left out of England’s World Cup squad last summer.
To a certain degree the 21-year-old did do that. A much improved season where he was a regular in the side, contributing 13 goals in total.
However, despite this there was too much of a familiar feeling about him. Electric speed and signs he was about to show us all what he has threatened to for so long, but failing to do so.
He lacks consistency and, when watching him, it seems confidence too. A one trick pony is a term he has been labelled with and I’m afraid to say he has done little to shake this.
Recently Walcott has been saying how the talking needs to stop and the team need to deliver. I can’t help but feel he should take some of his own advice.
There are a number of players like Denilson and Bendtner who look to be on their way out due to, quite frankly, not being good enough. Walcott, for me, is another that is closely hovering above this very same tagline.
Reports suggest Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be on his way in from Walcott’s former club, Southampton. Comparisons will of course be made.
I do feel Oxlade-Chamberlain will be better than Theo though. He is physically stronger, technically better and in my view, very importantly, he shows desire and the fight to battle.
If we do bring him to The Emirates, he could well develop into a top player and overtake Walcott.
Let’s not forget though, at 22, Theo Walcott has time on his side. I would like to see him play more centrally in a striker’s role; a role that Theo himself wants to fill.
There is no doubting his finishing ability and this could be utilised more effectively as a striker.
However, with the current formation and a certain Robin Van Perise in his way, his chances to play there could well be limited. Subsequently, we could be sitting here this time next year asking the same question; when will Theo Walcott realise his potential?
Oh come on !, stupid to compare him to Denilson and Bendtner, he has improved vastly you must be blind not to see that
I do not think he will ever realise his potential! he is too predictable but can he change and become less predictable? I can't see that as it is not in him. But for Oxley-Chamberlain; I can see he has a lot more to offer than Walcott and he is not as stiff but quite mobile, agile and has body movement in abundance!
I was trashing theo last season but this year he's turned it around. Massive improvement. He has been much more consistent, and actually scored 9 goals and got 8 assists in 28 league games this season. And most of these weren't simple passes, a lot of the assists came from good wing-play. In an ideal world he would be playing up front next to a bigger striker, but he's doing well in this position really.
It's possible that chamberlain could make more of an immediate impact. Theo wasn't ready when we signed him, and this is the first season that he's actually deserved to be member of the 1st team.
Some of you arsenal fans need a f*****g slap in the face!! you would think we have just been relegated to the chanpionship. wenger knows exactly what he is doing with theo…theo is world class…he's probably low on confidence cause arsenal 'fans' just want to stick the boot in everytime he has a bad game, as a winger sometimes ur in the game sometimes your not its just the way it goes! stop hating and start supporting!! UP THE GUNNERS!!
Theo's season was ok (start was fantastic) but if he wasn't English people would be much more critical of him. He has great speed and has improved his goal scoring abilities but his crosses are still not up to top standard and he still has a huge problem with keeping his eyes too much on the ball and in doing so missing a lot of “simple” passes. He's still young though and I think he will get better in the years to come.
No one is trying to crucify Theo but let us as fans learn to try and call a spade a spade!
Each season he talks about kicking on but as the season progresses he either falls short or he is injured which sets him back. That has been his story but apart from that he is not either skillful enough or he does not have the footballing brain to make those hidden skills count.
It is rather frustrating and I for one hope he comes of age when chamberlain arrives otherwise Arnese will lose patience with him.
theo is a striker though..so he wont be the best at crosses, and i woouldnt say he is a one trick pony at all, lets just hope wenger sticks him up front and proves evyerone wrong 🙂
Leave Theo alone. Too much has been expected of him too early.
He is improving every game, and will soon be playing in central position, although i think this whole position thing is what AFC are trying to avoid. Imagine Theo, Nasri, RVP, in fact all of our forward players being inter-changable during a game is much more the style of play AFC needs, that's why they are all being taught to play out of position as well.
There is a way AFC plays, and it is getting there.
I know no cup is getting fans down, but i see a team getting better. Last season something crept into the dressing room, i for one thought it was the Cesc saga from season before, this is why i say, either Cesc commits to Arsenal and forget Barca stating this publicly, or he is sold to them for asking price or less plus some other players, even if from barca academy.
I know Fergi loves Cesc and would snap him up sooner rather than later, but AW would not entertain selling him to them.
But football is a strange business, and anything can happen.
Hey what about Nani calling Nasri to OT and now talk is of Nani leaving OT.
Football is strange i say, anything can happen.