Theo Walcott: Page 34 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Theo Walcott

JazzG

Fucking media have him convinced to play as a striker, why doesn't he show faith in the manager who has more footballing knowledge than all of those so called experts put together to do what is best for him.

Doc

Tbf wenger has always taked him up as a striker & its probably the perfect time to give him a chance as that position is up for grabs, I personally don't see it in our system but he isn't good enough to be starting on the wing so might aswell give a go or sell him and get someone better.

DonDraper

Walcott's going to be on SSN shortly.

DonDraper

"It's a slow process," Walcott said. "My last contract took over six months to happen. Hopefully it can be sorted out.

"I've never said I wanted to go, I've always wanted to stay. I want to be an Arsenal legend. Thierry joined the club when he was 22 and I want to become an Arsenal legend like him, playing up front as well, which is a big factor for me. I've played on the right wing and had the opportunity to play up front a bit more so I think it's about time.

"That speculation on the money side of it has never been me. That's not me. I'm not the sort of person who's influenced by money. I always make my decisions based on football and only football. Hopefully something can be sorted out. I'll just wait for the club to get back to us now and go from there.

"It's one of those things that happens in the game. If it comes to it, if the club had to sell me, I'd be disappointed but, like I said, hopefully something can be sorted."

Ricky1985

I want to see Theo get a chance up front. His heart's not in playing right wing any more. If Gervinho can play there, so can Walcott.

lorddulaarsenal

So he wants assurances hell play as a central striker but ain't driven by money then.

Well sign the contract on offer and bloody have faith in your ability that you'll be good enough for us centrally

Captain

Must be a kick in the teeth to see Gervinho playing in 'his' position.

Captain

Ricky1985 wrote:
I want to see Theo get a chance up front. His heart's not in playing right wing any more. If Gervinho can play there, so can Walcott.

The thinking is probably that Gervinho is better in tight areas and it's true, he's head and shoulders above Theo in that regard.

Ricky1985

He does have better touch and control in tight areas, but then Theo has other strengths.

The important point for me is that Gervinho has neither the strength or the awareness to bring other players into play, midfielders can't run off him. His strengths when playing central are in his dribbling and his movement. Theo can match him on the movement front, and, whilst he's not as good a dribbler, he will cause problems with his dribbling when central - playing against centrebacks and not fullbacks his dribbling is a strength and not a relative weakness.

He could be that excellent mobile attacker that we all think we need. We wont know unless we give him a chance.

Conor

Ricky1985 wrote:
I want to see Theo get a chance up front. His heart's not in playing right wing any more. If Gervinho can play there, so can Walcott.

Spot on, he's a good finisher and should be given a chance at least.

Captain

Ricky1985 wrote:
The important point for me is that Gervinho has neither the strength or the awareness to bring other players into play, midfielders can't run off him. His strengths when playing central are in his dribbling and his movement. Theo can match him on the movement front, and, whilst he's not as good a dribbler, he will cause problems with his dribbling when central - playing against centrebacks and not fullbacks his dribbling is a strength and not a relative weakness.

The evidence suggests otherwise.

lorddulaarsenal

I prefer gervinho.

Sell theo and bring isometric true quality

Ricky1985

Captain wrote:
Ricky1985 wrote:
The important point for me is that Gervinho has neither the strength or the awareness to bring other players into play, midfielders can't run off him. His strengths when playing central are in his dribbling and his movement. Theo can match him on the movement front, and, whilst he's not as good a dribbler, he will cause problems with his dribbling when central - playing against centrebacks and not fullbacks his dribbling is a strength and not a relative weakness.

The evidence suggests otherwise.

We don't have much to go though, do we?

Put him as the furthest player forward, with more space to exploit, floating across the forward line, and I think he could do some serious damage.

Captain

Gervinho has linked up perfectly well with the midfield and fullbacks. Don't need anything else to go on.

ludovicvanzis

Don't think Theo's movement is as good as Gervinho's. People don't say this enough but the latter is actually quite a clever footballer.

Clrnc

Walcott has his advantages over Gervinho for that central role, but Capi is right, linking with midfielders and fullbacks isn't what Walcott wins over Gervinho.

I am interested to see Walcott up front in a run of games though. Suspect he might be too physically and technically weak to execute that role well.

DonDraper

Walcott can finish.

Captain

Looking at him, he would be more of an Owen; sharp movement in and around the box with good finishing ability from all angles. Plus pace to get in behind against higher lines. Can't see him contributing much in terms of link play or beating a defender, on the ball, in a tight situation.

Rohit

He has shown considerable improvement in his passing and link up play over the years even if he might not be at a level where he can start up front for us week in week out.

He deserves a chance. His movement is good and he is a good finisher.

If money isn't a factor, he is a desperate to stay and playing as a striker his main motivation then there is no harm in trying him, he will give it all he has to stake a claim.

Nela

So basically, he's claims it's all about wanting to play up front.

But if you want to play up front Theo, you need to do the work to improve so that you can play with your back to goal without being easily brushed aside and falling over. It's not about being big. Some of the most talented strikers are short. He can't even recieve the ball with his back to goal out wide. He's constantly brushed aside. Gervinho, may be a worse finnisher, but he can play the role because he has the skill to operate up there without the size. Theo's had a long time to work on this, but he hasn't improved enough. If he had, it may be him starting up front instead of Gervinho.

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