Theo Walcott: Serious Player Again?: Page 4 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Theo Walcott: Serious Player Again?

MistaT

There were issues (his son/euros/coming back from an injury) that clearly weighed on him last season and I'm happy for Theo (and his family) that he's been able to move past those concerns.

Certainly in better shape too, but I would imagine clearing some of those mental blocks was what encouraged him to get into such great shape this offseason.

Qwiss

goon wrote:
He's basically playing without any weight on his shoulders at the moment. Maybe the Euros were weighing on his mind last season? Who knows. Hopefully he can keep his head clear, stay fit and keep working hard. The end product will always be there if he does.

What are his stats like so far this season?

3 goals and 2 assists in 6 league games. Thats pretty much peak Theo.

jones

I was one of those who gave him a lot of stick for his performances last year and I don't take any of it back, he was dreadful and didn't even try. As much as I was angry I'm happy for him and the team so far this season, even more than his attacking I was impressed by his pressing and defensive work.

Bigger highlights than the goal were when he outmuscled Matic and won a free and when he gave away one vs Hazard, loved how he stared him down afterwards; complete U-Turn in his attitude. Hope he can keep this intensity and his fitness up

Bold Tone

The best thing that happened to him (for us!) was losing his place in the England team as he realised where his bread is buttered and gave up the dream of being a striker.
e: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/09/25/arsene-wenger-knew-he-would-see-different-theo-walcott-after-eur/

JazzG

Seen on Twitter that the highest figure for tackles won by Theo in his time here was 18 in 2011/2012 after 35 games, this season he has 12 in 6 games.

I think mentally he has accepted he is a right winger now, felt before he was a bit obsessed about being a CF.

Rex

Wenger nailed it post match when he very bluntly said that the biggest difference in Walcott from last season to this one is commitment.

banduan

boot up the arse was what he needed.

yuv

The important thing is that he proved he really is a player. So many years and until the last few games I still thought he was a waste of space. This last one to me was his best ever. If you analyse it and figure what was missing, perhaps this could be the big step forward he was missing for 10 years. Commitment, confidence, hunger, humiliation - whatever. If Theo can play like this - he's a real player.

Claudius

people under-estimate the value of application. it raises a basic player to great heights. look at when guys like Eboue or Adebayor were sensational for us. It was largely a function of hard grafting on their part, not limitless God-given talent.

banduan

loved this

😆

Anzac

Will also admit that I wanted him sold in the summer but am also quite happy to give him his due re his current performances & hope he can remain fit for the majority of the season so as to be able to really nail it as such.
As much as he is putting in a genuine shift I also think that the changer to the dynamic at CF is also affording him more opportunities to both get involved and to score, and this is also encouraging him to make the extra effort.

Clrnc

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/27/arsenal-theo-walcott-attitude-centre-forward?CMP=share_btn_tw

Good on him to admit his failings about his mentality and attitude in the past. That was definitely the difference to this season and hopefully he can keep focus and continue.

goon

Glad to hear him say he's not thinking about England too. Good on him, he may well have just rescued his career if new Theo is here to stay.

flobaba

Fool me once Theo...

Good job so far, but I'm watching your inconsistent ass.

Savz

His interviews remind me of a teenager who is nervous during a job interview. It's slightly cringy to watch.. I find it quite contrived and I always have.
Saying that, he is vindicating his words with his attitude on the pitch and I will never fault a player who gives their all.

Jed

We've seen it all before. Needs to do it consistently.

speedy

England dropped him, we tried to replace him with Mkhitaryan.

He was linked with west ham. Then they came out an said they didn't want him.

I think he suddenly realised his career was about to take a nose dive. Hes playing like he does for a new contract now.

marv3llous

We should be keeping him from signing the extension until its down to 6 months 😆

Burnwinter

@[deleted] That's my take. I reckon the sudden prospect of an end to his Arsenal career is what's gotten him hustling.

Got to say Wenger perhaps ought to use that as motivation a little more often.

Cannon

So much depends on how this season goes. If Wenger leaves, so could guys like theo, ox, gibbs, welbeck, etc irrespective of how they performed individually. Theo needs to have a really really strong season to survive at Arsenal IMO

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