Klaus wrote: Wenger doesn't do that. And Walcott regained his place in the team before he penned a new deal.
Wenger doesn't do that. And Walcott regained his place in the team before he penned a new deal.
Look, the main point is we are working by pure inference here, so any and all arguments can be taken with a grain of salt. But at the time it was widely thought that even if Wenger usually doesn't hang players out to dry, he might've been sending Walcott a signal in that instance.
Walcott's subsequent return to the team wouldn't then un-send the signal, and could have just been a response to our need to you know, score goals.
I'm certainly not convinced that Wenger benching Walcott at the start of the last season was because of a serious issue with how he plays - refusing instruction as you've been suggesting.
Burnwinter wrote: Klaus wrote: Wenger doesn't do that. And Walcott regained his place in the team before he penned a new deal. Look, the main point is we are working by pure inference here, so any and all arguments can be taken with a grain of salt. But at the time it was widely thought that even if Wenger usually doesn't hang players out to dry, he might've been sending Walcott a signal in that instance. Walcott's subsequent return to the team wouldn't then un-send the signal, and could have just been a response to our need to you know, score goals.
That doesn't make sense. Why would Walcott be the only player Wenger has ever done this to? Why did he still get minutes regularly? Why isn't Sagna on the bench right now in that case? Added to this, Theo kept scoring and assisting from the bench throughout the entire spell. There was no sudden decrease in end product because he was gone and no increase in his output when he started games. The situation is consistent with someone who has dropped down in the pecking order - not someone who is extorted into signing a new deal. I have little interest in what kind of 'impression' people got. The idea is still nonsense.
Burnwinter wrote:I'm certainly not convinced that Wenger benching Walcott at the start of the last season was because of a serious issue with how he plays - refusing instruction as you've been suggesting.
Except I didn't say that. I said he's tactically immature.
As I said, it's all inference. If you can't produce anything concrete, why are you so outraged by the suggestion?
Klaus wrote: That doesn't make sense. Why would Walcott be the only player Wenger has ever done this to [1]? Why did he still get minutes regularly [2]? Why isn't Sagna on the bench right now in that case [3]? Added to this, Theo kept scoring and assisting from the bench throughout the entire spell. There was no sudden decrease in end product because he was gone and no increase in his output when he started games. The situation is consistent with someone who has dropped down in the pecking order [4]- not someone who is extorted into signing a new deal. I have little interest in what kind of 'impression' people got. The idea is still nonsense [5].
That doesn't make sense. Why would Walcott be the only player Wenger has ever done this to [1]? Why did he still get minutes regularly [2]? Why isn't Sagna on the bench right now in that case [3]? Added to this, Theo kept scoring and assisting from the bench throughout the entire spell. There was no sudden decrease in end product because he was gone and no increase in his output when he started games. The situation is consistent with someone who has dropped down in the pecking order [4]- not someone who is extorted into signing a new deal. I have little interest in what kind of 'impression' people got. The idea is still nonsense [5].
Continuing to infer:
Except I didn't say that. I said he's tactically immature. [/quote]
Re the last point:
Rex wrote: You really don't think Walcott is playing to instruction, Klaus? You have said the same thing, or similar, on numerous occasions.
You really don't think Walcott is playing to instruction, Klaus? You have said the same thing, or similar, on numerous occasions.
Klaus wrote: As I've said before: no, I don't.
As I've said before: no, I don't.
I took you to mean you thought he was deliberately ignoring ("refusing") instructions - are you rather saying you think he lacks the tactical maturity to be able to follow them, despite good intentions?
Anyway. Despite your vehement cries of "nonsense", as far as I know, there's no press copy, no leaked rumour, no soundbite to back up your view on why he was benched. Is that right?
So for all the handwaving and rhetorical questions about why Sagna isn't benched now (Jenkinson, duh), it is all still inference and divination.
Burnwinter wrote: Not so sure - but he certainly rates fit players ahead of ones that are injured.
Not so sure - but he certainly rates fit players ahead of ones that are injured.
I am. Once Wenger finally realized Arteta-Wilshere didn't work and Ramsey came into the side with Wilshere/Rosicky #10 and Santi wide, there was only once place left in the side for Walcott/Podolski. Walcott started every single match down the stretch, Podolski only got starts after Giroud got himself sent off at Fulham.
Walcott also started this season ahead of Podolski.
Poldi wasn't fit I reckon - he was carrying an injury for months, that's why he could hardly run.
Form and balance of the team, coupled with injuries, fitness and opposition qualities mean its very hard to read into what Wenger thinks our best side is.
I do think Cazorla and Ozil are certain starters, so that only leave one space for Wilshere, Walcott, Podolski at the moment (discounting Gnabry/Ox) to fight for in the team
Burnwinter wrote: Poldi wasn't fit I reckon - he was carrying an injury for months, that's why he could hardly run.
Podolski was clearly struggling, don't think we can draw any definitive conclusions on whether Wenger prefers Walcott or Podolski.
For the record, I reckon Theo leaves Sagna on his own by design, I really doubt that Wenger would let him do that every match if he wasn't instructed to do so.
these are pleasant problems to have.
If we have a team of Giroud, Ozil, Theo, Caz, Arty, Ramsey, Sagna, Kosh, Per, Gibbs, our subs are: Verms, Monreal, Flams, Chambo, Wilshere, Poldi, Rozza.
That is a serious squad.
I think Rosicky has played his way into the first team for CL games.
He's mad throwing himsefl into the tackles like that, he either looks he'll get inured or break someone's leg.
Great player though. ;-)
http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/28-11-2013/is-rosicky-wengers-most-trusted-player/857835
So true.
TomasCR wrote: He's mad throwing himsefl into the tackles like that, he either looks he'll get inured or break someone's leg. Great player though. ;-)
Love Rosicky
Great song!
Can't help but comparing Szczesny to Schmeichel. He's starting to get the same type of presence in the goal. The way he makes himself big when an attacker surges towards goal, his gamesaving saves and his unwavering aerial dominance make him an absolute top class GK. He can even throw the ball over the half way line as we saw today!
The starfish jump is a complete Schmeichel rip-off.
Since he's almost back:
Volante wrote: Since he's almost back:
Quality player. Knows how to hurt opponents and is sensible
