Theo Walcott: Page 112 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Theo Walcott

Patters

Walcott's (usually) a very good finisher though. But I agree he doesn't do enough to make his mark when we're struggling to create chances. In a high scoring game, he'll grab a couple.

Bold Tone

He can play striker effectively against teams when our midfield is dominant but against stronger teams, we need him more on the wings where he offers fantastic support to Sagna and an outlet for the MF.

Qwiss

He was marked out of it easily against Bayern because no one else was getting forward. He was completely isolated. You can mark any lone striker out of the game if no one punishes you for it in other areas.

I still prefer Theo wide but complaining about him in the Bayern match is completely missing the point.

dreamlord

Irritating how Walcott never showed for the ball at all. Obviously he's going to be most effective playing off the last defender's shoulder, but no top team plays with just a poacher striker. A more intelligent player would have come deep once in a while to help the team transition the ball.

Timbob

I dont know, its pretty tough. We were on the back foot and he was competing on his own against 2 massive centre backs, and if he drops deeper he's going in against 2 massive central midfielders too.

If he is to play centre forward he'll have to find a way of coping with that, but he won't learn playing right wing for 3/4's of the season, with the odd runout up top.

MistaT

Agree that he's not fit for the CF role - but he created one of our only legit chances against Bayern so I've got few complaints about his game.

Coombs

Depressed Rex wrote:
Defensively it has knock on effects. It means that since Walcott is often out of position when we lose the ball he is not able to defend the wing properly from the go. The switch to two central midfielders to me seems to be to allow Walcott that freedom. It means that one of the central midfielders quite often has to cover for Walcott in the initial defensive phase. I am fairly certain that is what Wenger wants, and that is often what we see.

Agree with most of your post completely Rex, it certainly is Wenger doin' the tactics, but our midfielders simply don't cover the wings well enough, and in attack it narrows us when Walcott cuts in right away and cuts off all our options for countering. He needs to run on the wings and cut inside much later. He's been cutting in way too early for me, and Sagna does the job of two. It's been effective in terms of getting theo goals, but it's been at the expense of having a fully functional right side and often ruins our counterattacks.

Bold Tone

#Timmeh wrote:
I dont know, its pretty tough. We were on the back foot and he was competing on his own against 2 massive centre backs, and if he drops deeper he's going in against 2 massive central midfielders too.

If he is to play centre forward he'll have to find a way of coping with that, but he won't learn playing right wing for 3/4's of the season, with the odd runout up top.

Do you think he has a good chance of making it as a successful CF for us?
I would be happy if he did but i think we, as a team, gain more with him out wide.

Rex

I don't see the fuss here really. Regardless of whether he starts out wide or centrally he still plays as a forward. Fwiw I don't think he will ever be suited to play as a lone striker, regardless of manager at that.

Timbob

You don't see the fuss, but you don't think he's a centre forward? What were we discussing now?

Rex

I don't think he'll ever be very good playing as a lone striker. Playing on the wing he still plays as a forward.

Timbob

Your strong opinion suggests that you do see the fuss.

Doc

Theo doesn't really know what he is doing up top as a centre forward.. Given how long it took him to understand how to play as a wings.. Are you willing to give him another couple of seasons to learn his trade as a striker when right now he is a very good RWF for us?? The wings is we're he can best utilise his pace, it's his best position imo

Bold Tone

Doc. That's pretty much where i'm at (as a yank would put it)

Captain

But he had to learn to be a winger because he was a striker. 😐

Captain

In saying that, he has played about the same amount of time in both positions by now.

Bold Tone

I am completely open minded about him and just want whatever works best for the team.
What i mean is i wouldn't mind him playing striker if it was making us win games but atm he seems, to me, far more effective as a RWF.

Doc

Top level though is a different thing completely, he had what 1 season at Southampton.as a striker? Not.much experience at all.. Regardless it's going to take a while to become a top striker which he probably won't.

Rex

#Timmeh wrote:
Your strong opinion suggests that you do see the fuss.

Hmm. I have explained myself poorly. The fuss I am referring to is on Walcott's part. He seems hell bent on wanting to play as a striker. My opinion is that he already plays as a striker on the wing.

lorddulaarsenal

Stay hungry Feo

« Previous Page Next Page »