What is stalling Theo??

[GP]

Tbh Grebbo is right.

He couldn't be more wrong.

[Newguy]

QUOTE=Grimandi's Perm;239025]:lol: You can't force anyone to sign for another club either. How are you going to sell him to Stoke if he doesn't wanna go there? Silly.[/QUOTE]

No you can't that is true, but you can tell them that that if they don't sign you will freeze them out and basically state it publicly that they are not a part of the clubs longterm plans.

Two years of bench warming for someone like Theo wouldn't of helped him at all, especially as the "no football brain" talk was considered fact back then.

The club stuck with him and yes maybe he has wanted to play upfront for some time but hes now getting the chance.

I think a lot of people have taken Theo for some soft kid and now he's not having it anymore and now he's in a position to take his time with whatever decision he wants to make.

Had, 18 months ago, we said sign or we're selling you, yes maybe we'd have lost him earlier but at least we'd be in a position of power.

Wenger is a truly soft touch and Theo has taken advantage of that.

[Syn]

Tbh he could because he's right.

[Grebbo]

:scarf:

[GP]

QUOTE=Grimandi's Perm;239025]:lol: You can't force anyone to sign for another club either. How are you going to sell him to Stoke if he doesn't wanna go there? Silly.

No you can't that is true, but you can tell them that that if they don't sign you will freeze them out and basically state it publicly that they are not a part of the clubs longterm plans.

Two years of bench warming for someone like Theo wouldn't of helped him at all, especially as the "no football brain" talk was considered fact back then.

The club stuck with him and yes maybe he has wanted to play upfront for some time but hes now getting the chance.

I think a lot of people have taken Theo for some soft kid and now he's not having it anymore and now he's in a position to take his time with whatever decision he wants to make.

Had, 18 months ago, we said sign or we're selling you, yes maybe we'd have lost him earlier but at least we'd be in a position of power.

Wenger is a truly soft touch and Theo has taken advantage of that.[/QUOTE]

Name one example of a high-profile player being frozen out for a long period of time.

[Syn]

Name one example of a high-profile player being frozen out for a long period of time.

The question you should be asking is - how many high profile players walk out on a free? We're a special case so there won't by any empirical evidence to look at. The closest situations I can remember is Gareth Bale but somehow Tottenham got him to sign anyway.

Every other club seems to either sell in time or pay their players what they want. But we dont operate like that. It has happened a few times before where we've let the contracts of key players go down to a year. When you operate like we do, alarm bells have to be ringing when there are 2 years left. You sell at any cost or you give the player what you want. Failing that, you bully them into signing. You can't play hard ball when there's 6 months left because the player holds all the power. When he has 2 years left that's the time to freeze them out. Wenger had the right idea but just did it too late.

Obviously we all prefer to sort ourselves out and start paying players more, but if we're going to operate in a retarded way, grebbo's plan is the best plan out of the other retarded plans available.

[GP]

The question you should be asking is...

the one I asked. Which no one can answer. Because it would never work.

[Syn]

the one I asked. Which no one can answer. Because it would never work.

I explained why that question is useless. We don't work like other clubs.

[GP]

Syn has had a shocker and clearly needs to stop drinking and/or doing meth.

[Newguy]

the one I asked. Which no one can answer. Because it would never work.

Just because it has never got to such a stage where it's been made public that a high profile player has been threatened with being frozen out doesn't mean clubs haven't implied that would be the case if they didn't sign.

High profile players don't get frozen out for long periods because most clubs agree terms with the player or with the buying club before it gets to a stage of many months on the bench for said player....the reason for this??? It's because they are a high profile.

We are repeat offenders when it comes to letting our top asset get to the last year of their contract. Wenger won't let it happen anymore after Theo hence the Brit pack being signed together, koz and verm extending also. Arteta and mertz are stop gaps and cazorla could move on at the end of his contract but we've secured the majority of our guys.

I expect speculation every season but as supporters you just want your best players to have enough years on their contract for the club to be in a position of power and not in positions we have with theo and have had with nasri and rvc.

[selassie]

The question you should be asking is - how many high profile players walk out on a free? We're a special case so there won't by any empirical evidence to look at. The closest situations I can remember is Gareth Bale but somehow Tottenham got him to sign anyway. Every other club seems to either sell in time or pay their players what they want. But we dont operate like that. It has happened a few times before where we've let the contracts of key players go down to a year. When you operate like we do, alarm bells have to be ringing when there are 2 years left. You sell at any cost or you give the player what you want. Failing that, you bully them into signing. You can't play hard ball when there's 6 months left because the player holds all the power. When he has 2 years left that's the time to freeze them out. Wenger had the right idea but just did it too late. Obviously we all prefer to sort ourselves out and start paying players more, but if we're going to operate in a retarded way, grebbo's plan is the best plan out of the other retarded plans available.

Yep, this.The fault lies with Arsenal and we are pretty unique in the sense that we let our stars run down their contracts, does this happen at Man United or Spurs? No it doesn't, you either pay the player the market rate or you lose...in our case we're losing.

We've been relatively lucky in the case of "Nasri", not so much with "RVP", but whatever we could have got for him wouldn't have made a difference because we wouldn't have spent it sufficiently.We're totally and utterly screwed with Theo, we either lose a 20mill + player on the cheap or more embarrassingly lose him for nothing.You have people like Gazidis, PHW & Arsene boasting about the club being financially prudent and sufficiently run yet we have "marketable" star players walking away for next to nothing and a bench full of flops who command circa 70k per week.Truly laughable, our business model sucks.

[Özim]

It makes perfect sense. The only way to keep our best players is by offering them big contracts when they're crap and no other top team will touch them with yours. "Sign this £80k pw deal Theo or we're selling you to Stoke next week who'll pay you £30k pw".

It's the only way an unsuccessful club like ours can keep their best players.

We've just done it with the Brit pack. The risk is Ramsey, Gibbs etc never improve. The alternative is what's happened with Theo happening with someone like Ramsey eg we didn't get him to re-sign and he suddenly rediscovers how to play football.
I agree with this to be honest, the players we've re-signed (whilst I'm not sure some of them will be any good at all) have signed at a time when they really have no other better options so they're only too keen to sign up.

One good season and their stock goes right up and we're not at the races anymore, some people don't seem to understand that unless we're competing for stuff no player who has any ambitions will want to stick around, especially when clubs with ambitions of success are showing an interest.

[Syn]

Geoff Arsenal ‏@GeoffArsenalAW to offer Theo a long term deal that makes him the clear highest earner at AFC plus a signing on fee of £4-5m.

Cheers Geoffrey.

[Grebbo]

I agree with this to be honest, the players we've re-signed (whilst I'm not sure some of them will be any good at all) have signed at a time when they really have no other better options so they're only too keen to sign up.

One good season and their stock goes right up and we're not at the races anymore, some people don't seem to understand that unless we're competing for stuff no player who has any ambitions will want to stick around, especially when clubs with ambitions of success are showing an interest.

:gp:

[Grebbo]

Yep, this.The fault lies with Arsenal and we are pretty unique in the sense that we let our stars run down their contracts, does this happen at Man United or Spurs? No it doesn't, you either pay the player the market rate or you lose...in our case we're losing.

We've been relatively lucky in the case of "Nasri", not so much with "RVP", but whatever we could have got for him wouldn't have made a difference because we wouldn't have spent it sufficiently.We're totally and utterly screwed with Theo, we either lose a 20mill + player on the cheap or more embarrassingly lose him for nothing.You have people like Gazidis, PHW & Arsene boasting about the club being financially prudent and sufficiently run yet we have "marketable" star players walking away for next to nothing and a bench full of flops who command circa 70k per week.Truly laughable, our business model sucks.

Ah but you can't have it both ways. Because we're not challenging for the league our best players will naturally want to leave. If you let them run down their contract they will leave. They'd be fools not to. Arsenal is in terminal decline.

However, the one hope you've got of keeping star players is to sign the 'future' star players on long term contracts. This is risky because you end up paying Ramsey and Gibbs £60k pw and at the moment they're a bit shit. But Wenger does have a gift of spotting young talent so history has told us that most of these young talents will come good. Some will also remain shit and you're stuck with them on £60k pw and that's the risk of this strategy.

The bench full of flops on £70k pw could have been/could be star players.

Man U only keep their star players because they're the best team in England. They'd soon leave if they went 8 years without winning anything. Spurs must have offered Bale a get out if he re-signed for them, like they did with Modric.

[Grebbo]

The mystery for me is how on earth did Liverpool get Suarez to re-sign??!!

He must have a gentleman's agreement he can leave if he wants otherwise it's a mystery given how shit Liverpool are and how good he is.

[Power n Glory]

I explained why that question is useless. We don't work like other clubs.

:gp:

When Rooney started making noise, Utd had to pay up because they couldn't afford to lose Rooney after losing Ronaldo. They signed him up quickly. But they have RVP now and let's see if Rooney runs his mouth again. Isn't Nani stalling on signing a contract and he's been frozen out?

We're pinned to a corner and if it's about money it makes no sense to lose him on a free. The difference between £75k and £100k is minor, a few million in a year. That won't break us. Losing another key player, that will reopen some old wounds and get a few more players questioning the clubs ambition and logic.

[Marc Overmars]

Cheers Geoffrey.

Good. I hope it's true.

[Power n Glory]

Ah but you can't have it both ways. Because we're not challenging for the league our best players will naturally want to leave. If you let them run down their contract they will leave. They'd be fools not to. Arsenal is in terminal decline.

However, the one hope you've got of keeping star players is to sign the 'future' star players on long term contracts. This is risky because you end up paying Ramsey and Gibbs £60k pw and at the moment they're a bit shit. But Wenger does have a gift of spotting young talent so history has told us that most of these young talents will come good. Some will also remain shit and you're stuck with them on £60k pw and that's the risk of this strategy.

The bench full of flops on £70k pw could have been/could be star players.

Man U only keep their star players because they're the best team in England. They'd soon leave if they went 8 years without winning anything. Spurs must have offered Bale a get out if he re-signed for them, like they did with Modric.

Paying over inflated prices for young players is silly in my opinion, especially for the British core. As I read somewhere else, players like Jenkinson and Jack would probably be happy playing for Arsenal even if they were on the dole. They'd play for peanuts. Young players in general will play for peanuts and just want the chance to play in the first team. It would make more sense to keep them on low wages for as long as possible until they have shown thy are worth the money. It shouldn't be based on potential and it's misguided thinking it protects us from poacher clubs.

If City, Chelsea etc wanted to offer Jack a massive contract we wouldn't be able to compete with that offer. They can easily trump £85k a week if they wanted to. In essence what we're doing is pay over the odds for 2/3 years when a player is still developing. It doesn't make sense to me and this isn't true loyalty if we're already rewarding players with cash incentives when they haven't even paid their dues on the pitch. If these players were to really hit the heights, the top clubs would be offering way more than their current deals and the only way to stop them from leaving is to match the offer or offer something competitive at least. This preemptive strike thing we have going on is silly. We're just fattening up our wage bill and when one the vultures come circling for new talent we have nothing left in the pot to give because we've needlessly blown millions on potential.

[Cripps_orig]

Pisses me off how you can always be so bloody right.

A week ago I laughed at you saying Theo is the best of our British contingent....

Just fuck off, man.












:haha:

I hate being right :(

[Ollie the Optimist]

I hate being right :(

you're not. Jack is the best and most important british player :coffee:

[Cripps_orig]

you're not. Jack is the best and most important british player :coffee:

:lol:

[Cripps_orig]

ARSENE WENGER will have one last chance to keep Theo Walcott at Arsenal over the next two weeks.
The England star will sit down with the Gunners again during the next fortnight to try to thrash out a long-term deal.
SunSport can reveal there have been NO actual negotiations over the past two months despite reports suggesting talks were ongoing.
Walcott and his advisers have been holding off new negotiations, though Arsenal have invited them for a new round of talks.
A top club source said: “Talks will happen over the next couple of weeks, though the exact timing is not finalised. Nothing is expected before the FA Cup game at Swansea.”
Chelsea and Manchester City are favourites to land the England superstar — if he decides to leave.
Our source added: “One thing’s clear, Theo will not go anywhere in January.”
If that were to happen it would be against the player’s wishes and those of boss Wenger.
Walcott WANTS to stay.
Wenger heaped praise on Walcott following his hat-trick against Newcastle and repeatedly said he will NOT let the striker leave in January.
The England star wants £95,000 a week and Arsenal are not budging from their £75,000 offer.
It is believed Walcott would meet Arsenal halfway but they would have to make an increase in their original offer if the striker is to stay on.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4719282/Arsene-Wengers-last-hope-for-Arsenal-star-Theo-Walcott-to-stay.html#ixzz2GdVtpjbX

.

[GP]

you're not. Jack is the best and most important british player :coffee:

Yup. And Jack was happy to sign.

Theo and his agent won't even discuss terms with the club. Tells you all you need to know.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Yup. And Jack was happy to sign.

Theo and his agent won't even discuss terms with the club. Tells you all you need to know.

theo is easily replaceable, he is a very good player and can finish well, but so can many others and so can be replaced. (provided we spend money)


however Jack isnt replacebale at all. there is something special about him, you cant replace the passion, the desire he has for Arsenal. you cant replace that, he has grown up with Arsenal and that makes him more special. his footballing skills are unbelieable, hes only 21 and is only going to get better. its very easy to forget he is only 21, his performances make him seem like he is a 25/26 year old at the top of their game but it is his love for us, his never say die attiude, his willingness to do anything to help us win, that makes him irreplaceable. proof of this, is his signing a new deal very quickly because he wanted to stay. that you cant replace, someone who plays well but fucks around with a new offer, can be replaced

[GP]

Apparently he's been telling people to call him Theorry :rolleyes:

[Kano]

theo is easily replaceable, he is a very good player and can finish well, but so can many others and so can be replaced. (provided we spend money)


however Jack isnt replacebale at all. there is something special about him, you cant replace the passion, the desire he has for Arsenal. you cant replace that, he has grown up with Arsenal and that makes him more special. his footballing skills are unbelieable, hes only 21 and is only going to get better. its very easy to forget he is only 21, his performances make him seem like he is a 25/26 year old at the top of their game but it is his love for us, his never say die attiude, his willingness to do anything to help us win, that makes him irreplaceable. proof of this, is his signing a new deal very quickly because he wanted to stay. that you cant replace, someone who plays well but fucks around with a new offer, can be replaced
i do not see the sense in happily waving goodbye to a player who is essential to the team we have at the moment, as he also was last season. isn't that how we have sunken into this mess, by letting our most productive players leave and having to find replacements that will settle in straight away and be cheap enough for wenger's tight wallet? think about those that have come and gone from wide positions over the years and how they have performed in comparison. right now i couldn't care less what his personal thoughts are for his own career, only for the fact that without him we'd be in even more shite than we are. he's doing his job, long may that continue and the only way we will build anything worthwhile in the prem again is if we build around the key components of our team. theo is that now and we need him.

[Joker]

There's this paranoia over "player power" which means some fans are happy to see players leave as long as it shows that the club are "in charge" and players can't dictate terms.

[AKBapologist]

Had a shocker, in a game where no one in the team came close to scoring and yet he walks away with an assist.

Easily replaceable my arse. If we're unable to keep him, we're certainly unable to afford a replacement who produces as much from wide or central positions right now, especially english, or under 25.

The same people saying that shit are probably the same ones who said the likes of Ashley Young, Lennon or Bendtner are better players.

[Marc Overmars]

I agree, I don't understand how people can be so flippant when saying he's replacable.

[Joker]

He's joint top in terms of assists, and has 14 goals this season. Given Wenger's recent record in terms of signings, I really doubt he's easily replaceable. There's more chance that Walcott would be replaced by Gervinho mark II rather than a "top quality" player.

[IBK]

He's joint top in terms of assists, and has 14 goals this season. Given Wenger's recent record in terms of signings, I really doubt he's easily replaceable. There's more chance that Walcott would be replaced by Gervinho mark II rather than a "top quality" player.

This. :gp:

[Injury Time]

:blah: he so gone

[fakeyank]

theo is easily replaceable, he is a very good player and can finish well, but so can many others and so can be replaced. (provided we spend money)


however Jack isnt replacebale at all. there is something special about him, you cant replace the passion, the desire he has for Arsenal. you cant replace that, he has grown up with Arsenal and that makes him more special. his footballing skills are unbelieable, hes only 21 and is only going to get better. its very easy to forget he is only 21, his performances make him seem like he is a 25/26 year old at the top of their game but it is his love for us, his never say die attiude, his willingness to do anything to help us win, that makes him irreplaceable. proof of this, is his signing a new deal very quickly because he wanted to stay. that you cant replace, someone who plays well but fucks around with a new offer, can be replaced

Jack is good but he is not irreplaceable! His love for the club is great but he is just a big fish in a terribly small pond. I think we will know how good he is in the next couple of years, if he can play at the same level and without injuries.

[-Xs-]

Even Jack will be gone as soon as the board feel they can cash in

[selassie]

theo is easily replaceable, he is a very good player and can finish well, but so can many others and so can be replaced. (provided we spend money)


however Jack isnt replacebale at all. there is something special about him, you cant replace the passion, the desire he has for Arsenal. you cant replace that, he has grown up with Arsenal and that makes him more special. his footballing skills are unbelieable, hes only 21 and is only going to get better. its very easy to forget he is only 21, his performances make him seem like he is a 25/26 year old at the top of their game but it is his love for us, his never say die attiude, his willingness to do anything to help us win, that makes him irreplaceable. proof of this, is his signing a new deal very quickly because he wanted to stay. that you cant replace, someone who plays well but fucks around with a new offer, can be replaced

Theo would be replaceable at any other top club apart from Arsenal. We DONT and WONT spend money on "Proper" replacements when our best players leave. We have been downgrading the quality of our team since the invincible days, that's a fact. Even when we built fairly decent teams, 07/08 and a few seasons ago, we tear them apart.

Arsene's idea of a replacement is either grooming an internal "project" player or "risk buying" abroad...most likely Ligue One.

I actually think to a degree our top 4 status this season hinges on Theo, who else is going to produce similar numbers in this team if he's not playing?

[Cripps_orig]

I agree, I don't understand how people can be so flippant when saying he's replacable.

Just remember who said that

[Marc Overmars]

Meeting going on today with Feo's reps. Media seem to think he's likely to sign now.

[LDG]

Meeting going on today with Feo's reps. Media seem to think he's likely to sign now.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqxqcn9DWP1qmg4zfo1_500.gif

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

word is he's signed 90k a week contract.

wenger :bow:

[Gervinho's Forehead]

Signed for who?

[Cripps_orig]

If this is true and knowing our record, it probably isnt then hes gone in summer 2014

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

i see his point

rodwell 100k a week

sturridge 80k a week

what the fuck have they done?

theo's been our most consistent performer for the past couple of years. integral to the side. and we want to offer him a paltry 75k a week.

performances warrant reward. theo warrants 100k a week for his performances over the past 15 months. he could easily get it and probably more elsewhere.

[Marc Overmars]

Theo. :bow:

Always rated him.

http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/02/theo-walcott-set-to-sign-new-arsenal-deal-after-holding-fresh-round-of-talks-3335287/

From the guy who does the Young Guns blog, normally a reliable source of info.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Phew. Hopefully we can make a decent profit on him now.

[Gervinho's Forehead]

Phew. Hopefully we can make a decent profit on him now.

:gp:

If we do end up selling him we'll be able to hold out for a higher price as time will be on our side now.

[LDG]

He'll go shit again, and then the moaners will start crying that we paid him too much :rolleyes:

[Joker]

We can't predict how Theo's going to play in 2013, if he goes shit then I wouldn't blame the club for offering him a huge contract. Based on his productivity over the last 2 years, and given the wages that other players earn, £90K/week is entirely justified.

[Cripps_orig]

He was a bit shit v Southampton and we offer him 90k a week?

Wenger and the board :doh:

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Paying Theo 90K is complete madness, but considering how much way pay the likes of Arteta, Ramsey and a few other counter-productive players, it then becomes justifiable.

[BlindFaith_8]

The truth of the matter is that Theo has a strong hand, he can refuse to sign and wait until the summer and join a top side with a large signing on fee and over 100K a week in wages, thus the Arsenal greedy board would get nada, on the other hand Theo realises we have a shit squad and front players so feels he is our Marquee player and deserves to be the highest paid player on the books. For me I would love him to walk in the summer on a free to teach ******* and the board a harsh lesson in economics. All in all I would prefer him to stay but I would'nt blame him if he joined Chelsea or Man City on a lucrative longterm deal and the chance of winning medals whilist he is in his prime, he's way too good for our squad, we are a Giroud and Chamakh team front line up, this means we have two shit forwards to compliment 9 shit outfielder players and yest that inludes Wilshire.

[Özim]

Out of all the top players we have lost in the last few years, he's the one I would be least bothered about.

He's done well this season for sure and has been our most productive player up front so credit where credits due, I just think we've lost some far better players in the past which I wished we'd kept hold off.

[selassie]

Paying Theo 90K is complete madness, but considering how much way pay the likes of Arteta, Ramsey and a few other counter-productive players, it then becomes justiable.

How on earth is it madness? Have you not seen his stats over the past few years? A comparable player on the market would cost 20million and 90k per week in wages minimum. We either sign him or promote Miyaichi...I know what I'd prefer.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

How on earth is it madness? Have you not seen his stats over the past few years? A comparable player on the market would cost 20million and 90k per week in wages minimum. We either sign him or promote Miyaichi...I know what I'd prefer.

Thanks for making my point. Ridiculous the kind of wages these mediocre players are being paid.

[Marc Overmars]

I bet Sturridge is earning the same if not more at Liverpool, and he's proper shit.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I bet Sturridge is earning the same if not more at Liverpool, and he's proper shit.

Take it with a pinch of salt, but I read he is on about £60k.

[selassie]

Thanks for making my point. Ridiculous the kind of wages these mediocre players are being payed.

Well right now Theo isn't a mediocre player, say what you like about him but his stats are backing up his wage demands, the boy is and has been producing for the past 2 seasons. You go and find a wide forward on the continent that regularly hits double figures in goals and assists each season. You wanna know how much they trade for?

[Cripps_orig]

And the fact he isnt even a wide man and still produces, he deserves his wages

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Well right now Theo isn't a mediocre player, say what you like about him but his stats are backing up his wage demands, the boy is and has been producing for the past 2 seasons. You go and find a wide forward on the continent that regularly hits double figures in goals and assists each season. You wanna know how much they trade for?

Go easy, as you're seriously bordering on overrating him here. Theo is still no world class player, awashed with talent and technical ability. Yes, he does use his attributes (pace and a moderately good shot/finish) to his advantage at times, but he's still pretty much an inconsistent git who at times looks like he doesn't have a brain. I reckon that it won't be very long before we start tearing out our hair again when he goes completely batshit on the pitch.

With that said, he's still pretty much our most important player post RvC. But then again we've become undeniably small time. We're not a club on a mission to compete with the best clubs in the world, so Theo, along with the heavy contingent of dross, are pretty much at home here.

[Injury Time]

I'm worried that if he signs I'll be watching his lazy arse jogging back from another run into the defender, whilst our midfield and defence are over run by quality teams such as swansea, cardiff (next year), not sure if that is because rest of squad is shit or seen him disapear too many times where he thinks he's Henry :(

[Letters]

Out of all the top players we have lost in the last few years, he's the one I would be least bothered about.

He's done well this season for sure and has been our most productive player up front so credit where credits due, I just think we've lost some far better players in the past which I wished we'd kept hold off.
We have lost better players in the past but given that we've lost those players we have to keep Theo.
If we still had RvP then I'd be less bothered about keeping Theo too, but we don't so we need to keep the better players we still have before the squad degrades any further.

[selassie]

Go easy, as you're seriously bordering on overrating him here. Theo is still no world class player, awashed with talent and technical ability. Yes, he does use his attributes (pace and a moderately good shot/finish) to his advantage at times, but he's still pretty much an inconsistent git who at times looks like he doesn't have a brain. I reckon that it won't be very long before we start tearing out our hair again when he's goes completely batshit on the pitch.

With that said, he's still pretty much our most important player post RvC. But then again we've become undeniably small time. We're not a club on a mission to compete with the best clubs in the world, so Theo, along with the heavy contingent of dross, are pretty much at home here.

I'm not overrating him at all, just explaining what he produces and provides for the team. His stats this season are what 14 goals and 11 assists in 20 odd games, a fair few of them have been sub appearances too. Last season he reached double figures in both assists and goals. The season before was pretty much the same.

Theo may not be the finished article and I agree he does lack a brain and technical skills at times but his stats are not to be scoffed at. You say I'm overrating him? So we lose him, who do you realistically want to replace him with who's going to immediately replicate his stats?

Theo absolutely isn't inconsistent in our team, he's proving the opposite, to be a very consistent performer.

Some of you guys amaze me! You complain about the team yet are happy for our best players to be sold...have you not seen our transfer policy over the past 5 years? If he's sold he won't be replaced!

[Özil's Panoramic View]

I'm not overrating him at all, just explaining what he produces and provides for the team. His stats this season are what 14 goals and 11 assists in 20 odd games, a fair few of them have been sub appearances too. Last season he reached double figures in both assists and goals. The season before was pretty much the same.

Theo may not be the finished article and I agree he does lack a brain and technical skills at times but his stats are not to be scoffed at. You say I'm overrating him? So we lose him, who do you realistically want to replace him with who's going to immediately replicate his stats?

Theo absolutely isn't inconsistent in our team, he's proving the opposite, to be a very consistent performer.

Some of you guys amaze me! You complain about the team yet are happy for our best players to be sold...have you not seen our transfer policy over the past 5 years? If he's sold he won't be replaced!

Stats can be very misleading if not analyzed properly. One or two good games is all that is required to bump up some percentages.

And just who are you trying to fool here by rubbishing the notion that Theo is inconsistent? How many years have we been watching this lad being an absolute mong on the field? How many times have we seen him being a total fuck up or anonymous?

Lastly, this discussion was never about Theo being sold or not, so please don't skew my argument in a bid to give preeminence to yours.

[AKBapologist]

It's not even a question of what he does on the ball. Theo changes the way the opposition plays. They play a high line and Theo will fuck them. They play deep, we end up controling midfield. Inconsistant on the ball or not, striker or winger, there are few players that have this effect, AOC rarely has that kind of effect on his own for instance.

For me it's the same no nothings judge a player based on the number of unsucessful dribbles a game as proof of *inconsistancy* whilst writing off meaningless stats like goals and assists.

We would have lost 2 out of the last 4 games without Walcott in the side (based on missing goals and assists) - our stats (win percentage) without him in the team in all competitions this season probably backs this up quite considerably.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

It's not even a question of what he does on the ball. Theo changes the way the opposition plays. They play a high line and Theo will fuck them. They play deep, we end up controling midfield. Inconsistant on the ball or not, striker or winger, there are few players that have this effect, AOC rarely has that kind of effect on his own for instance.

For me it's the same no nothings judge a player based on the number of unsucessful dribbles a game as proof of *inconsistancy* whilst writing off meaningless stats like goals and assists.

We would have lost 2 out of the last 4 games without Walcott in the side (based on missing goals and assists) - our stats (win percentage) without him in the team in all competitions this season probably backs this up quite considerably.

We do pay him, you know? Hence, 'producing' the little much that he does should at least be what is expected of him. But then again, as I said before, we have become very small time. Sad when the player we're jizzing our pants about would be no more than a bench warmer at the big clubs.

[Marc Overmars]

Wenget says he doesn't believe the contract hold up is about money.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

End of the day, whether Theo leaves or stays, he'll be no different from the rest of modern day mercenaries disguised as footballers.

The minute the guy puts in a half 'decent-ish' shift, he tries to hold the club at ransom. I can't see no reason other than money why he hasn't inked a deal as yet. Wenger is not known to bend over to player demands, but he did appear to oblige Theo that centre striker role he's been demanded, so what's the bloody hold up?

I've been watching footie for a considerable amount of years now, longer than some on here I'd presume, and I know a great player when I see one. Hence, Walcott fucking off would not really be of great bother to me, as he's nothing special. Only worry is that Wenger won't go the route of adequately replacing him - something which wouldn't be too hard.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Wenget says he doesn't believe the contract hold up is about money.

So we can now safely conclude that it is about money then.

[Marc Overmars]

So we can now safely conclude that it is about money then.

That's up to you. I was relaying what I just heard from his press conference.

[Syn]

I would take no January or summer signings as long as we keep our current side for a year. Transfer embargo.

Theo is goin to be Defoe as fuck. Oxlade is going to be Hleb as fuck. Gibbs is going to be Glen Johnson as fuck. And Arsenal are going to be England as fuck.

[GP]

Wenget says he doesn't believe the contract hold up is about money.

:lol:

That's all it's ever been about.

[Cripps_orig]

Wenget says he doesn't believe the contract hold up is about money.

It never has been tbh

[LDG]

:lol:

That's all it's ever been about.

:faint:

[selassie]

Stats can be very misleading if not analyzed properly. One or two good games is all that is required to bump up some percentages.

And just who are you trying to fool here by rubbishing the notion that Theo is inconsistent? How many years have we been watching this lad being an absolute mong on the field? How many times have we seen him being a total fuck up or anonymous?

Lastly, this discussion was never about Theo being sold or not, so please don't skew my argument in a bid to give preeminence to yours.

I'm not rubbishing any notion, just offering up stats and concrete evidence that his perfomances over the past few seasons have not been inconsistent in the context of other members of our team and comparable players in PL.

Sure he's been anonymous, what do you expect? He's an emerging talent, he can't be a star everytime he plays.

Bottomline is his performances have been up there with our best performers for the past few seasons. Yes he isn't "World Class" but right now he offers more to our team than everybody bar Carzola.

Finally, you were the one that said Theo was replaceable but you have yet to offer up a player who could replace him who is within our budget etc?

[Özil's Panoramic View]

I'm not rubbishing any notion, just offering up stats and concrete evidence that his perfomances over the past few seasons have not been inconsistent in the context of other members of our team and comparable players in PL.

Sure he's been anonymous, what do you expect? He's an emerging talent, he can't be a star everytime he plays.

Bottomline is his performances have been up there with our best performers for the past few seasons. Yes he isn't "World Class" but right now he offers more to our team than everybody bar Carzola.

Finally, you were the one that said Theo was replaceable but you have yet to offer up a player who could replace him who is within our budget etc?

Again with the misrepresentation I see. I didn't mention that until in my post prior to this one, and said post was never a part of our discussion. So stop using it to support your argument.

Let me remind you that my post stating that paying Theo 90K was ridiculous, was what sparked our little discussion, sir. Now, if you want to start another topic about if I want him sold and who'd be an adequate replacement, then do so in a less underhanded manner.

[Syn]

I can replace Theo. Just let me goalhang, be selfish as fuck and take 20 shots a game.
One is bound to go in. I can even conduct a gay celebration with my best friend Carl Jenkinson.

[selassie]

Again with the misrepresentation I see. I didn't mention that until in my post prior to this one, and said post was never a part of our discussion. So stop using it to support your argument.

Let me remind you that my post stating that paying Theo 90K was ridiculous, was what sparked our little discussion, sir. Now, if you want to start another topic about if I want him sold and who'd be an adequate replacement, then do so in a less underhanded manner.

Oh I see, so I'm only allowed to quote from posts you made yesterday? :d

I'm fully aware of what your posts are all about and have offered up a different opinion to all of them, I fail to see what I'm doing here is underhanded. We'll just have to agree to disagree Chief.

[Power n Glory]

Again with the misrepresentation I see. I didn't mention that until in my post prior to this one, and said post was never a part of our discussion. So stop using it to support your argument.

Let me remind you that my post stating that paying Theo 90K was ridiculous, was what sparked our little discussion, sir. Now, if you want to start another topic about if I want him sold and who'd be an adequate replacement, then do so in a less underhanded manner.

Jack Wilshere is on £85k a week. That's not justified if we're going relate pay to performance but if it means we've locked him into a long term deal, so be it. It makes no sense to be so critical. We're trying to retain the services of one of our top performing players. This season he's been head and shoulders above the rest and last season he was good alongside Song and RVP. You need to see the bigger picture. Makes no sense to blast the club for our transfer policy but then throw a fit when it looks as though we may finally keep one of our top performers. If Theo were allowed to walk on a free it would really open up a wound and I'm sure other players around the club would really start questioning the clubs ambition. We have to stop the rot somewhere. Why shouldn't Theo be on the same money as Podolski and Arshavin?

[Power n Glory]

I'm not overrating him at all, just explaining what he produces and provides for the team. His stats this season are what 14 goals and 11 assists in 20 odd games, a fair few of them have been sub appearances too. Last season he reached double figures in both assists and goals. The season before was pretty much the same.

Theo may not be the finished article and I agree he does lack a brain and technical skills at times but his stats are not to be scoffed at. You say I'm overrating him? So we lose him, who do you realistically want to replace him with who's going to immediately replicate his stats?

Theo absolutely isn't inconsistent in our team, he's proving the opposite, to be a very consistent performer.

Some of you guys amaze me! You complain about the team yet are happy for our best players to be sold...have you not seen our transfer policy over the past 5 years? If he's sold he won't be replaced!

:gp:

It's the same sort of argument people were putting forward last summer with RVP, Song....before that with Cesc, Nasri...Flamini, Hleb....never learn.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Oh I see, so I'm only allowed to quote from posts you made yesterday? :d

I'm fully aware of what your posts are all about and have offered up a different opinion to all of them, I fail to see what I'm doing here is underhanded. We'll just have to agree to disagree Chief.

Yea, good we can at least agree on something, even if it's agreeing to disagree. :lol:

[Syn]

Jack Wilshere is on £85k a week. That's not justified if we're going relate pay to performance

Jesus Christ, of course it is. He's a £85k a week player every time he's on the pitch. I can think of one team that wouldn't make room for him and they play in Spain. I'm all for giving Walcott £200k a week because, quite frankly, if the higher ups at the club make less i don't give a fuck. But don't use Wilshere as a yardstick for Theo - jack's in another bracket entirely.

[Cripps_orig]

Jack Wilshere is on £85k a week. That's not justified if we're going relate pay to performance

Spot on.

Jacks good but hes not at Theos level plus you consider hes been injured for 18 months and still gets offered more than our best player, whats up with that? Np wonder Theo is asking for more if thats the case and he is entitled to

[Power n Glory]

Jesus Christ, of course it is. He's a £85k a week player every time he's on the pitch. I can think of one team that wouldn't make room for him and they play in Spain. I'm all for giving Walcott £200k a week because, quite frankly, if the higher ups at the club make less i don't give a fuck. But don't use Wilshere as a yardstick for Theo - jack's in another bracket entirely.

No he isn't. Jack hasn't played enough games, scored enough goals, lead the team and pulled us through tough tiimes to earn around that amount. He's a talent and one for the future puts in a shift every game but in no way is in such a different bracket, especially now after coming back from his injury. He's droppable for Rosicky right now. If we're going to talk about performance related wages then Jack isn't there at all. Doesn't score enough, set up enough goals and isn't keeping the team ticking over with his passing. In a season or two, no doubt he'd be worth the £85k but that's potenetial and not performance.

[Cripps_orig]

No he isn't. Jack hasn't played enough games, scored enough goals, lead the team and pulled us through tough tiimes to earn around that amount. He's a talent and one for the future puts in a shift every game but in no way is in such a different bracket, especially now after coming back from his injury. He's droppable for Rosicky right now. If we're going to talk about performance related wages then Jack isn't there at all. Doesn't score enough, set up enough goals and isn't keeping the team ticking over with his passing. In a season or two, no doubt he'd be worth the £85k but that's potenetial and not performance.
Pretty much and paying for potential is what has got us in to this mess in the first place what with paying over the odds to shite ass youngsters who never produced. Chances are Wilshere will produce but he hasnt yet and is no way worth 85k a week now

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Anyway chaps, interesting days ahead. Let's see how this one pans out. Though I know I'll be laughing at some folks when our latest mercenary rejects the 80-85K offered and fucks off, thereby becoming persona non-grata around these parts - every posts in reference to him being laced with that infamous *censored word.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

A shocker that people on here are comparing Sir Jack to Theo. Come on lads, I know you're all passionate about your wonder boy Theo, and would probably fight tooth and nail in his defence, but please don't stoop so low.

Jack is pure footballing talent. Among the brightest prospects anywhere around town, Theo is just a pacy player at best who'll give a good finish 3-4 out of 10 times.

[GP]

Jesus Christ, of course it is. He's a £85k a week player every time he's on the pitch. I can think of one team that wouldn't make room for him and they play in Spain. I'm all for giving Walcott £200k a week because, quite frankly, if the higher ups at the club make less i don't give a fuck. But don't use Wilshere as a yardstick for Theo - jack's in another bracket entirely.

Absolutely. It doesn't matter if he's been injured, because it's clear that his talent and application deserves it.

Jack is the biggest talent this country has produced in my lifetime.

[Cripps_orig]

A shocker that people on here are comparing Sir Jack to Theo. Come on lads, I know you're all passionate about your wonder boy Theo, and would probably fight tooth and nail in his defence, but please don't stoop so low.

Jack is pure footballing talent. Among the brightest prospects anywhere around town, Theo is just a pacy player at best who'll give a good finish 3-4 out of 10 times.
Whats Jack done to deserve such recognition?

As P&G says, doesnt score many, doesnt assist many. I wouldnt call him Artetaesque cos Jack actually tries to be creative. Hes just not very good at it yet and if we are paying him 85k a week for not being good at something then Theo deserves 100k for being good at something

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

whats all this bickering about?

under our model a majority of our younger players will be earning more than those at other clubs. why? because we value youth more than other clubs. we elevate them into a senior position quicker than they would elsewhere and with more responsibility comes more money.

walcott through (somewhat) no fault of his own has now become a senior player at this club. a combination of asset stripping and theo actually starting to deliver has meant he can demand a top wage. on top of that he's english, which bears huge influence. its common consensus that english players demand a premium in fees and wage because of the mess this league finds itself in.

walcott can earn 100k easily at another club. so we need to pay it. we can sit here and go round in circles about how he's not worth the money but fact is, he is. modern football culture and our youth model dictates this. he is now the star man at arsenal and he knows it, hence why he's insisting on top money. he sees squillaci, chamakh and ramsey on similar if not higher wages and laughs. what have they done? nothing. walcott has done plenty more.

if this was a 23 year old dortmund player with 8 goals 6 assists already this season and 11 goals 12 assists last season, available for £8m at 100k a week, you'd bash wenger all night for not signing him. so a bit of perspective please.

and even if he goes, you trust us to invest and replace properly? a club that relied on a ticking timebomb diaby when we sold song? Lol

[Gervinho's Forehead]

I'm in the jack is overhyped camp, let's wait for him to do something first! I'd also like him to not be such a wimp, he likes to dish it but he can't take it back.

[Syn]

No he isn't. Jack hasn't played enough games, scored enough goals, lead the team and pulled us through tough tiimes to earn around that amount. He's a talent and one for the future puts in a shift every game but in no way is in such a different bracket, especially now after coming back from his injury. He's droppable for Rosicky right now. If we're going to talk about performance related wages then Jack isn't there at all. Doesn't score enough, set up enough goals and isn't keeping the team ticking over with his passing. In a season or two, no doubt he'd be worth the £85k but that's potenetial and not performance.

Utter rubbish. Goals and assists is the only contribution simpletons seem to be able to refer to. I'm above this anyway.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

the only qualm i have with jack is his lack of bottle in front of goal.

always looking for the sublime assist in the penalty area when he can just lace into the back of the net. he can easily get 10 goals a season and it grinds me everytime he looks for a needle in the haystack because usually it doesnt come off.

but apart from that he's worth the hype. as i said, these english players demand a premium because of supply and demand. jack could easily get 80k a week elsewhere so he should be on that here.

there's no good bashing the club over british players because they are a niche market. a rare instance. if anything have qualms over shocking signings like squillaci, park, chamakh and santos. none were young when they came here so there are no excuses for them turning out crap. isnt our scouting system supposed to be one of the best? how the heck have we managed to rack up an accumulation of tosh like that in the space of a few years?? overaged, overhyped beamers who erode our already unstable wage bill. you'd think after the first few the scouts would have taken extra care but the conveyor belt of garbage just continued.

there's something seriously wrong at this club from physio's to board, to wage bill to management decisions.

[Cripps_orig]

I'm in the jack is overhyped camp, let's wait for him to do something first! I'd also like him to not be such a wimp, he likes to dish it but he can't take it back.

Funny thing is, all this shit said about Jack being the next big thing was said about Theo in 2006

[Kano]

why are people so hung up on whether he 'deserves' a certain amount of money? the ticket prices will remain as high as ever and the club have already wasted millions on players wages for nothing, so what is the difference to anyone in real terms? it's just a figure on a contract, on a website, in the news tossed out to the fans. does paying him 20k/30k mean anything when we live in a world of silly money and fan exploitation anyway. how can anyone justify their wages?

[AKBapologist]

Funny thing is, all this shit said about Jack being the next big thing was said about Theo in 2006

Pretty much. This place is mental.

[Marc Overmars]

My feeling is that people have become too precious over the fact he rejected the initial offer. If we had just offered 90k (which is what we're seemingly prepared to do now) no one would have bat an eye lid and we wouldn't be discussing what he's worth.

I'd love to know how someone like Ramsey managed to get a new deal despite doing sod all. I don't know why this club is prepared to pay for potential but squirms like a little bitch when something could affect the here and now.

[Power n Glory]

Utter rubbish. Goals and assists is the only contribution simpletons seem to be able to refer to. I'm above this anyway.

Don't wum cause it's not your style.

So after one season we're saying JW has earned to earn around the same amount it took players like Henry, RVP, Cesc some years to get to? It's not just goals and assists, if he could keep our play flowing like how Cesc could when he was much younger than Jack then I'd see your point. He's looking lost in the middle right now and hasn't controlled the tempo of a game.

Time will tell because he's coming back from injury but it's flawed to talk about consistency and top level performances when he's only played one full season for us and hasn't performed anywhere near the level of Cesc.

[Letters]

Funny thing is, all this shit said about Jack being the next big thing was said about Theo in 2006
Young English players are always massively over-hyped. Theo has taken a lot longer to develop than was hoped although he does seem to be getting there now. I'm still not sure about him at times but he is delivering goals and assists and his finishing is excellent.
Jack looks like the real deal but it's a bit early to say just yet. He's not sparkled this season but he is just coming back from quite a serious, long-term injury so shouldn't be written off. Before his injury he was showing a lot of promise.

[Marc Overmars]

why are people so hung up on whether he 'deserves' a certain amount of money? the ticket prices will remain as high as ever and the club have already wasted millions on players wages for nothing, so what is the difference to anyone in real terms? it's just a figure on a contract, on a website, in the news tossed out to the fans. does paying him 20k/30k mean anything when we live in a world of silly money and fan exploitation anyway. how can anyone justify their wages?

Spot on.

The game is the problem, not the players.

[Cripps_orig]

Young English players are always massively over-hyped. Theo has taken a lot longer to develop than was hoped although he does seem to be getting there now. I'm still not sure about him at times but he is delivering goals and assists and his finishing is excellent.
Jack looks like the real deal but it's a bit early to say just yet. He's not sparkled this season but he is just coming back from quite a serious, long-term injury so shouldn't be written off. Before his injury he was showing a lot of promise.

No one is denying Jack is a good player and has the potential to be even better but at the moment, is he worth 85k a week? Forget about the real world cos no footballer is worth that. Lets stick to the footballing world and even then i wouldnt say hes worth that but yet hes been given that and we are haggling over Theos wages despite him being arguably more important to us in terms of goals and assists as they are undoubtedly the most important things in football.

As MO said, we have given Jack 85k a week for his potential but dont want to pay Theo for the here and now which is ludicrous.

[Letters]

No one is denying Jack is a good player and has the potential to be even better but at the moment, is he worth 85k a week? Forget about the real world cos no footballer is worth that. Lets stick to the footballing world and even then i wouldnt say hes worth that but yet hes been given that and we are haggling over Theos wages despite him being arguably more important to us in terms of goals and assists as they are undoubtedly the most important things in football.

As MO said, we have given Jack 85k a week for his potential but dont want to pay Theo for the here and now which is ludicrous.
Even in the football world I wouldn't give a 20 year old that kind of money. He certainly has the potential to be worth (well, in the football world) that but not yet, no.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

a club that offered djourou a 3 year bumper contract at 60k a week.

only at this club.

remember that.

then wonder why walcott is annoyed he's on less.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Don't wum cause it's not your style.

So after one season we're saying JW has earned to earn around the same amount it took players like Henry, RVP, Cesc some years to get to? It's not just goals and assists, if he could keep our play flowing like how Cesc could when he was much younger than Jack then I'd see your point. He's looking lost in the middle right now and hasn't controlled the tempo of a game.

Time will tell because he's coming back from injury but it's flawed to talk about consistency and top level performances when he's only played one full season for us and hasn't performed anywhere near the level of Cesc.

but you cant go comparing 10 years ago to now. football has changed and evolved. i agree that it is absolutely ridiculous football has ended up like this, but people cant berate the board for being backwards then on the other hand have a go at them for offering english talent like wilshere top money. its the going rate because as i said, he can get it elsewhere.

modern football is a load of shit.

[Cripps_orig]

Even in the football world I wouldn't give a 20 year old that kind of money. He certainly has the potential to be worth (well, in the football world) that but not yet, no.

Exactly and thats the problem

We are paying thousands a week which turns in to millions over the years to players who havent produced. What if god forbids Jack gets another injury? 85k a week for someone who isnt playing? And that isnt even my biggest worry.

My big worry is if he does fulfill his potential and the time comes to renew his contract, he will want double of what hes getting now which as we know, we wont pay so hes gone when hes around 25 and we are back to square one.

[Syn]

Don't wum cause it's not your style.

Im not wumming. If people cant think, it annoys me. Unless of course they are that stupid so forgive me if I've given you undue benefit of doubt.


So after one season we're saying JW has earned to earn around the same amount it took players like Henry, RVP, Cesc some years to get to? It's not just goals and assists, if he could keep our play flowing like how Cesc could when he was much younger than Jack then I'd see your point. He's looking lost in the middle right now and hasn't controlled the tempo of a game.

Think. The market is not what it was even 5 years ago. This is about Theo in comparison to Jack. And there is no comparison really. You would need eyes and a bit of a brain to know this.



Time will tell because he's coming back from injury but it's flawed to talk about consistency and top level performances when he's only played one full season for us and hasn't performed anywhere near the level of Cesc.

You pay players on the basis of what they will do, not what they have. You look at the past and you see Jack was phenomenal in his debut season being the stand out players among stars in the Arsenal-Barca games. You note it wasn't an anomaly. You then see if he will fully recover from his injury. He looks sharper by the game and he's playing consistently well in the same manor he did. Players that have his ability don't fuck about with the basics and Jack is not. He's worth every penny.

[AKBapologist]

Hang on, are we actually debating whether or not Jack's Pulling his weight in the current squad????

Potential my arse. Wilshire's become another player we've come to depend on after been gone for a year and only a handful of first team apperances. Even if he got no better than he is now, he's a better holding midfielder than most in the league barring a small handful of captains and specialists, half a dozen years older and on double the wages. WTF is wrong with GW???

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Funny people should be saying an obvious talent like Jack is being over-hyped, yet they are trying to present Theo as that player whose talent has been honed and developed and he has now arrived.

Subtract Theo's flurry of goals against total shit teams and then show me the stats. Spread his goals across a broader surface of games, and not just a deluge of goals in one or two games, and then present those stats.

I'll say again, that he's not as good as some would have us believe and I couldn't care less if he fucks off. I've had it with these average players thinking more of themselves than they really are, thereby holding the club to ransom the minute they start to show signs of doing what they have always been paid to do.

[Syn]

Funny people should be saying an obvious talent like Jack is being over-hyped, yet they are trying to present Theo as that player whose talent has been honed and developed and he has now arrived.

Subtract Theo's flurry of goals against total shit teams and then show me the stats. Spread his goals across a broader surface of games, and not just a deluge of goals in one or two games, and then present those stats.

I'll say again, that he's not as good as some would have us believe and I couldn't care less if he fucks off. I've had it with these average players thinking more of themselves than they really are, thereby holding the club to ransom the minute they start to show signs of doing what they have always been paid to do.

Well I would care if Theo fucks off. Theo gets goals. That's important even if that's all he gets. I'd be happy if we got him to sign at any expense. But don't just don't present Jack as a yardstick because he's much better at his job than Theo is at his; mainly because he has the natural talent that Theo never will.

[AKBapologist]

And there's the nonsense "Theo isn't a big game player" bullshit again.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Reading comprehension is a bitch, ain't it?

[Letters]

And there's the nonsense "Theo isn't a big game player" bullshit again.
Can anyone be bothered to do some analysis?
He's not the sort of player who will pop up with important goals in big games like a van Persie will, is he?
His stats are fairly impressive, his finishing is very good, but I have to say I never expect him to really produce in the big games.
Prove me wrong, stattos, prove me wrong.

[AKBapologist]

Reading comprehension is a bitch, ain't it?

What? So you don't think top scorers fill their boots against shit teams?

Not that Theo hasn't delivered against some of the biggest teams in Europe or domestically, but what kind of fucking stupid argument is that?

[Cripps_orig]

Can anyone be bothered to do some analysis?
He's not the sort of player who will pop up with important goals in big games like a van Persie will, is he?
His stats are fairly impressive, his finishing is very good, but I have to say I never expect him to really produce in the big games.
Prove me wrong, stattos, prove me wrong.

Chelsea, Man Utd, Barcelona, Spuds, Liverpool and thats off the top of my head

[Letters]

Chelsea, Man Utd, Barcelona, Spuds, Liverpool and thats off the top of my head
OK. But did we win the games. Were they winners, plus 1s, consolation goals? What?
Just asking...

[SayNoMore]

Chelsea, Man Utd, Barcelona, Spuds, Liverpool and thats off the top of my head

Good post. Theo is a very dangerous player and jack is already one of the best mf in the league. These two players need to be contracted to us and they deserve whatever inflated wage they want when they are miles ahead of their team mates.

[AKBapologist]

Can anyone be bothered to do some analysis?
He's not the sort of player who will pop up with important goals in big games like a van Persie will, is he?
His stats are fairly impressive, his finishing is very good, but I have to say I never expect him to really produce in the big games.
Prove me wrong, stattos, prove me wrong.
From summer 2011...

At UEFA Euro 2012, Walcott appeared for England as a second half substitute in the group game against Sweden. Shortly after coming on, Walcott scored to bring the game level at 2–2. Less than 15 minutes later, he provided the cross for Danny Welbeck's 74th minute winner in England's 3–2 victory.

On 16 August, Walcott scored his first goal of the season in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Udinese, giving a vital 1–0 win to Arsenal to carry on into the second leg of the tie

Walcott scored again in the second leg as Arsenal came from behind to win 2–1 and 3–1 on aggregate which helped Arsenal secure qualification for the lucrative group stage of the competition for the 14th straight season.

Walcott scored Arsenal's first goal in the 2011–12 Premier League campaign against Manchester United though this was a mere consolation as Arsenal lost 8–2.

He netted his fourth goal on 29 October in a 5–3 win at Chelsea where he picked up the ball on the wing, slipped, then got up and jinked past two Chelsea players before scoring. The goal was voted by fans as Arsenal's goal of the month.

On 26 February Walcott scored two second-half goals against Tottenham to help them win 5–2 after being 0–2 down.

On 30 October 2012, Walcott scored Arsenal's first goal in first half stoppage time and their fourth goal in second half stoppage time in a League Cup tie at Reading to help the club complete a comeback from 4–0 down to 5-7.

etc etc


Part of the reason why he's so "overrated" is because of all those big game moments he provides for fans...

[Syn]

Theo has performed at his usual level regardless of opposition. He did well against Barca and Chelsea. Don't think that's an issue. People tend to overrate the debate about 'big game players'. New Ronaldo and Henry were called bottlers.
Makes no sense. And, quite frankly, even if a player didn't perform against better teams, i don't consider it that important when 16 teams in the league are worse than you.

[Kano]

Theo has performed at his usual level regardless of opposition. He did well against Barca and Chelsea. Don't think that's an issue. People tend to overrate the debate about 'big game players'. New Ronaldo and Henry were called bottlers.
Makes no sense. And, quite frankly, even if a player didn't perform against better teams, i don't consider it that important when 16 teams in the league are worse than you.
usually that argument is condensed into knock out competition finals, not taking into account the vital 'big games' in terms of qualifying or at crucial points of a league season. that's how henry got labelled with it. as you say, if feo bagged 20+ purely against the bottom half of the table, are we now saying that is a bad thing for the team?

[Letters]

Theo has performed at his usual level regardless of opposition. He did well against Barca and Chelsea. Don't think that's an issue. People tend to overrate the debate about 'big game players'. New Ronaldo and Henry were called bottlers.
Makes no sense. And, quite frankly, even if a player didn't perform against better teams, i don't consider it that important when 16 teams in the league are worse than you.
There were plenty of occasions last year when van Persie popped up with a goal which turned 1 point into 3. He's doing it this year for Utd. That isn't over-rated, he did it in the Manchester Derby and it could be the difference between ManYoo being champions or not. Last year van Persie was the difference between us being top 4 and not. That isn't over-rated.

[Power n Glory]

Im not wumming. If people cant think, it annoys me. Unless of course they are that stupid so forgive me if I've given you undue benefit of doubt.



Think. The market is not what it was even 5 years ago. This is about Theo in comparison to Jack. And there is no comparison really. You would need eyes and a bit of a brain to know this.




You pay players on the basis of what they will do, not what they have. You look at the past and you see Jack was phenomenal in his debut season being the stand out players among stars in the Arsenal-Barca games. You note it wasn't an anomaly. You then see if he will fully recover from his injury. He looks sharper by the game and he's playing consistently well in the same manor he did. Players that have his ability don't fuck about with the basics and Jack is not. He's worth every penny.

Syn…you’re acting like an idiot. You’re usually level headed and there is no need to adopt that tone with me. Keep it cool without the insults and listen to my argument.

There is no dispute about Wilshere’s talent but if people are going to talk about consistency and performances related to pay, then Jack hasn’t earned that £85k simply because he hasn’t been in this squad long enough or played consistently as the top player that drags the team with him when everyone is slacking. That doesn’t mean he can’t do it. But it’s idiotic for anyone to look at Theo and ask what’s he done over then look at Jack and say it’s justified. He’s only played one full season for goodness sake. It’s flawed logic.

If we’re saying JW should earn as much as all the other important first teamers, that’s another issue and fair enough. If all the first team players around that mark, then fair play, but you can’t argue he’s earned it through performances in such a short space of time. Even with Cesc, he wasn’t earning next to the same amount as Henry after a couple of seasons, it doesn’t matter about the going rate at that time he wasn’t propelled to the top that quickly. But at the end of the day, the value of the player doesn’t really matter as long as they’re playing for us. It shouldn’t be an issue for fans.

[Kano]

There were plenty of occasions last year when van Persie popped up with a goal which turned 1 point into 3. He's doing it this year for Utd. That isn't over-rated, he did it in the Manchester Derby and it could be the difference between ManYoo being champions or not. Last year van Persie was the difference between us being top 4 and not. That isn't over-rated.
in regards to his position being out wide, last season his two goals helped us qualify for the cl, which was big. two more goals switched the game and our season on its head against tottenham. let's not forget this is from wide right, where bar ronaldo, you don't find many who score such vital goals. since he's come into the middle he's scored. there are parts of his game to improve of course but he's doing the main part right so far. th14 was the worst passer of the ball after his first season here, so things change (and i am not saying he is going to be another th14 btw)

now when it comes to wages, i couldn't give a toss anymore. you'll stay pay a premium to get into the stadium and another 10/20k doesn't make any difference to anyone for a players contract, even in the football world.

[Letters]

in regards to his position being out wide, last season his two goals helped us qualify for the cl, which was big. two more goals switched the game and our season on its head against tottenham. let's not forget this is from wide right, where bar ronaldo, you don't find many who score such vital goals or assists. since he's come into the middle he's scored. there are parts of his game to improve of course but he's doing the main part right so far. th14 was the worst passer of the ball after his first season here, so things change (and i am not saying he is going to be another th14 btw)

now when it comes to wages, i couldn't give a toss anymore. you'll stay pay a premium to get into the stadium and another 10/20k doesn't make any difference to anyone for a players contract, even in the football world.
That Spurs game was Theo in a nutshell. First half he was horrible, should have been hauled off.
2nd half he goes and gets 2 goals.
:shrug:

How do you solve a problem like Theoria...

[Kano]

there isn't such a big problem, except for the ones anxious fans and shit pundits create. there was an expectation we would have a whizz kid on our hands who could score like this from 17/18 but it rarely happens - what didn't help was the large transfer fee for someone his age. 'arriving' at 22/23 is pretty much the norm.

what doesn't help players is overanalysis of absolutely everything. slowed down replays and a belief that football is still played in rigid formations of 442/433 etc. theo is doing absolutely fine and we need to stop looking at the value of his contract rather than his value to the team.

[selassie]

there isn't such a big problem, except for the ones anxious fans and shit pundits create. there was an expectation we would have a whizz kid on our hands who could score like this from 17/18 but it rarely happens - what didn't help was the large transfer fee for someone his age. 'arriving' at 22/23 is pretty much the norm.

what doesn't help players is overanalysis of absolutely everything. slowed down replays and a belief that football is still played in rigid formations of 442/433 etc. theo is doing absolutely fine and we need to stop looking at the value of his contract rather than his value to the team.

Yep

[Marc Overmars]

If this was a one off situation I'd be inclined to haul all sorts at Theo but it's not. Many players have turned their back on the club and it's about time we started looking closer to home. I don't know what it is but something stinks at the club when it comes to these issues.

Sagan will be the next one in the firing line.

[LDG]

How do you solve a problem like Theoria...

A thin layer of canestan cream, two times daily for a fortnight should clear it up :good:

[Fist of Lehmann]

I'd love to know how someone like Ramsey managed to get a new deal despite doing sod all. I don't know why this club is prepared to pay for potential but squirms like a little bitch when something could affect the here and now.

The reason why the club is prepared to pay for potential is the same reason it generally refuses to pay older players. It's run as a business, with a sharp eye on maximising value.

A player may feel he is entitled to a certain wage, based on what he has done in the past, but from an employers point of view, it's not what you have done, but what you will do, over the span of your next contract that should determine your value to the side and therefore your wage.

Older players on high wages but declining in value and usefulness are an inefficient way to spend your cash (although that doesn't mean that we shouldn't have made some exceptions).

Young players are well rewarded, not only for their future worth, but for their future improvement.

Which brings me to Theo. Within our pay structure £90k puts him pretty much near the top. To rate that, he will need to operate at a level more like say, his Newcastle performance or above, and less like his Swansea performance (or below) for the duration of his contract, 3-4 years.

This is why Theo's consistency is a concern. At his best, he is worth it more or less. At his worst, he isn't, not even close. I think the club's £75k offer was reflective of this.

[Marc Overmars]

The reason why the club is prepared to pay for potential is the same reason it generally refuses to pay older players. It's run as a business, with a sharp eye on maximising value.



Makes sense I guess. The appetite for actual on the field success pales in comparison.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

The reason why the club is prepared to pay for potential is the same reason it generally refuses to pay older players. It's run as a business, with a sharp eye on maximising value.

A player may feel he is entitled to a certain wage, based on what he has done in the past, but from an employers point of view, it's not what you have done, but what you will do, over the span of your next contract that should determine your value to the side and therefore your wage.

Older players on high wages but declining in value and usefulness are an inefficient way to spend your cash (although that doesn't mean that we shouldn't have made some exceptions).

Young players are well rewarded, not only for their future worth, but for their future improvement.

Which brings me to Theo. Within our pay structure £90k puts him pretty much near the top. To rate that, he will need to operate at a level more like say, his Newcastle performance or above, and less like his Swansea performance (or below) for the duration of his contract, 3-4 years.

This is why Theo's consistency is a concern. At his best, he is worth it more or less. At his worst, he isn't, not even close. I think the club's £75k offer was reflective of this.

Eruditely posited.

[Joker]

I can understand the argument that Wilshere's being paid £85K/week based on an expectation of his future contribution, but the same should apply to Walcott. Theo's shown an increase in productivity right throughout his Arsenal career, and his game is developing. Based on this, it is reasonable to assume he'll go on to deliver even more goals and assists in future seasons, and therefore should be given a contract that reflects the fact that he'll become increasingly important to us as an attacking outlet. £90K/week, when you consider the wages other players who have not delivered close to what Theo has in the last 2 seasons, seems extremely reasonable. After all, we're not a mid table Premier League club with our heads barely above water yet, and if we want to mix it with the elites of the game, we need to be paying big money to the players who will keep us near the top.

[selassie]

The reason why the club is prepared to pay for potential is the same reason it generally refuses to pay older players. It's run as a business, with a sharp eye on maximising value.

A player may feel he is entitled to a certain wage, based on what he has done in the past, but from an employers point of view, it's not what you have done, but what you will do, over the span of your next contract that should determine your value to the side and therefore your wage.

Older players on high wages but declining in value and usefulness are an inefficient way to spend your cash (although that doesn't mean that we shouldn't have made some exceptions).

Young players are well rewarded, not only for their future worth, but for their future improvement.

Which brings me to Theo. Within our pay structure £90k puts him pretty much near the top. To rate that, he will need to operate at a level more like say, his Newcastle performance or above, and less like his Swansea performance (or below) for the duration of his contract, 3-4 years.

This is why Theo's consistency is a concern. At his best, he is worth it more or less. At his worst, he isn't, not even close. I think the club's £75k offer was reflective of this.

Yep that's a totally logical way of evaluating how we operate and I do agree, though I would add player marketability to the table too. Not in the sense of what they are worth as a Football player, but more in terms of the merchandise they sell and their brand appeal. For example, I would expect Theo and Jack to sell far more shirts than say established players such as Sagna and Vermaelen. I think this is one aspect folks have missed out on when taking into account players/agents negotiating their wages.

The club can't have it both ways...because if it really was purely about Footballing ability then we wouldn't have this "ideological" wage structure in the first place.

[Gervinho's Forehead]

"Footballing reasons"

:haha:

[Syn]

There were plenty of occasions last year when van Persie popped up with a goal which turned 1 point into 3. He's doing it this year for Utd. That isn't over-rated, he did it in the Manchester Derby and it could be the difference between ManYoo being champions or not. Last year van Persie was the difference between us being top 4 and not. That isn't over-rated.

I know, I'm not saying any different. What I'm adding is that people over think the 'big game player' stuff.
Most of our games are against teams worse than us. So if we have a flat track bully, who cares? At least he can help us win the games we're supposed to win.

[Power n Glory]

The reason why the club is prepared to pay for potential is the same reason it generally refuses to pay older players. It's run as a business, with a sharp eye on maximising value.

A player may feel he is entitled to a certain wage, based on what he has done in the past, but from an employers point of view, it's not what you have done, but what you will do, over the span of your next contract that should determine your value to the side and therefore your wage.

Older players on high wages but declining in value and usefulness are an inefficient way to spend your cash (although that doesn't mean that we shouldn't have made some exceptions).

Young players are well rewarded, not only for their future worth, but for their future improvement.

Which brings me to Theo. Within our pay structure £90k puts him pretty much near the top. To rate that, he will need to operate at a level more like say, his Newcastle performance or above, and less like his Swansea performance (or below) for the duration of his contract, 3-4 years.

This is why Theo's consistency is a concern. At his best, he is worth it more or less. At his worst, he isn't, not even close. I think the club's £75k offer was reflective of this.

I think players need to be paid according to market value. If Jack can walk into any team and command around £85k then it's our job to remain competitive make sure we keep him at the club. It's the same for Theo. But I find it hard to agree with anyone that's suggesting he should one of the highest paid in the club because of his past performances. He's had too short of career for that.

[Gervinho's Forehead]

I know, I'm not saying any different. What I'm adding is that people over think the 'big game player' stuff.
Most of our games are against teams worse than us. So if we have a flat track bully, who cares? At least he can help us win the games we're supposed to win.

I think that part of it comes from the manager's philosophy rather than an individual player.

[Syn]

Syn…you’re acting like an idiot. You’re usually level headed and there is no need to adopt that tone with me. Keep it cool without the insults and listen to my argument.

There is no dispute about Wilshere’s talent but if people are going to talk about consistency and performances related to pay, then Jack hasn’t earned that £85k simply because he hasn’t been in this squad long enough or played consistently as the top player that drags the team with him when everyone is slacking. That doesn’t mean he can’t do it. But it’s idiotic for anyone to look at Theo and ask what’s he done over then look at Jack and say it’s justified. He’s only played one full season for goodness sake. It’s flawed logic.

If we’re saying JW should earn as much as all the other important first teamers, that’s another issue and fair enough. If all the first team players around that mark, then fair play, but you can’t argue he’s earned it through performances in such a short space of time. Even with Cesc, he wasn’t earning next to the same amount as Henry after a couple of seasons, it doesn’t matter about the going rate at that time he wasn’t propelled to the top that quickly. But at the end of the day, the value of the player doesn’t really matter as long as they’re playing for us. It shouldn’t be an issue for fans.

You've turned it around entirely. Read back. The discussion was about you using Wilshere and his contract to suggest Theo deserves equal or more. There's a clear difference in saying 'if Jack deserves that, so does Theo' and 'if theo deserves that, so does jack'. And you recognise that through taking logic 101. Your argument is bullshit because, quite simply, Wilshere is the far superior footballer who puts in better performances consistently. And that's all that matters. Also, I'm never an idiot, I'm just a dick to those being idiotic.

[Syn]

I think that part of it comes from the manager's philosophy rather than an individual player.

Oh. I don't. There is little reason why a player would be able to perform against limited opposition and not better opposition unless that player was limited himself. It might take something special to perform against good opposition whereas walking all over the limited is easier. But, as I say, who cares? We're not playing Man Utd every week and we are not even beating Southampton, so roll on the flat track bullies.

[Power n Glory]

You've turned it around entirely. Read back. The discussion was about you using Wilshere and his contract to suggest Theo deserves equal or more. There's a clear difference in saying 'if Jack deserves that, so does Theo' and 'if theo deserves that, so does jack'. And you recognise that through taking logic 101. Your argument is bullshit because, quite simply, Wilshere is the far superior footballer who puts in better performances consistently. And that's all that matters. Also, I'm never an idiot, I'm just a dick to those being idiotic.

Go back and check the argument because you just jumped the gun and got all hot headed. Jack hasn't contributed more than Theo and that was where I started at so it's nuts for anyone to talk about Theo's performances as if he's contributed less. I haven't flipped anything and again, calm yourself down and stop acting all sensitive.

[Joker]

I don't think we can say that Wilshere puts in better performances consistently. He played almost all of 10-11 and was understandably inconsistent given that it was his first season at the top. The fact that he put in some superb individual performances (Barca at home and the CC Final against Birmingham) has somewhat clouded the fact that there were quite a few games that season where he struggled to make a huge impact. That doesn't mean he didn't have a good season (indeed, he performed infinitely better than Theo did in his first full season at Arsenal) but he wasn't consistently 7-8/10. Then, he got injured and missed all of the next season and has only just returned this year, where again he's been very good some games, decent/off colour in others which is again understandable.

Earlier in thread it's been said that Wilshere is given £80K/week because of future potential, and I agree with that (same with Theo, even if you think Wilshere will be the better footballer Theo's past productivity and progression suggests he'll continue to be a very important source of goals/assists for us). However, if the argument is that Wilshere deserves more because he has played better than Walcott on a consistent basis so far at Arsenal, IMO that doesn't ring true at all. Over the last 2 seasons Walcott has been one of the most consistent performers at the club.

[IBK]

I'm not overrating him at all, just explaining what he produces and provides for the team. His stats this season are what 14 goals and 11 assists in 20 odd games, a fair few of them have been sub appearances too. Last season he reached double figures in both assists and goals. The season before was pretty much the same.

Theo may not be the finished article and I agree he does lack a brain and technical skills at times but his stats are not to be scoffed at. You say I'm overrating him? So we lose him, who do you realistically want to replace him with who's going to immediately replicate his stats?

Theo absolutely isn't inconsistent in our team, he's proving the opposite, to be a very consistent performer.

Some of you guys amaze me! You complain about the team yet are happy for our best players to be sold...have you not seen our transfer policy over the past 5 years? If he's sold he won't be replaced!

I agree. Football supporting is sometimes a feel, and Theo feels like he's one of our only players who can produce class at times. Very few players can do so every game (Messi; RVP; Ronaldo), but we shouldn't underestimate Theo for all that. His response to his contractual position has been exemplary (have we forgotten Cesc; Nasri; Adebayor; RVP so quickly?), and he has convinced me - a former critic.

[IBK]

I don't think we can say that Wilshere puts in better performances consistently. He played almost all of 10-11 and was understandably inconsistent given that it was his first season at the top. The fact that he put in some superb individual performances (Barca at home and the CC Final against Birmingham) has somewhat clouded the fact that there were quite a few games that season where he struggled to make a huge impact. That doesn't mean he didn't have a good season (indeed, he performed infinitely better than Theo did in his first full season at Arsenal) but he wasn't consistently 7-8/10. Then, he got injured and missed all of the next season and has only just returned this year, where again he's been very good some games, decent/off colour in others which is again understandable.

Earlier in thread it's been said that Wilshere is given £80K/week because of future potential, and I agree with that (same with Theo, even if you think Wilshere will be the better footballer Theo's past productivity and progression suggests he'll continue to be a very important source of goals/assists for us). However, if the argument is that Wilshere deserves more because he has played better than Walcott on a consistent basis so far at Arsenal, IMO that doesn't ring true at all. Over the last 2 seasons Walcott has been one of the most consistent performers at the club.

Theo is currently way ahead of Jack. We love Jack because of his heart on sleeve attitude, but he is still young, and green at times on the pitch.

[Power n Glory]

Jack still has a way to go, especially after being out for so long. His final ball and shooting needs a little work and will have to start dominating the midfield more and dictating play.

But we're paying him a handsome fee to try and ward off other clubs and to keep him happy. I wouldn't say it's based on merit or past performances. If the club has no problem paying inflated prices for our young players, then why not pay something a little more competitive for our experienced players that have actually performed for us over a number of years?

[KSE Comedy Club]

Rumours say that he has agreed a 4 yr deal worth 90k pw, will be announced tomorrow.

We'll see.

[Marc Overmars]

90k a week + 3m signing on free, apparently. Now it's just a matter of when it's announced, expected to be next week.

[Gervinho's Forehead]

Good. :good:


Now that wasn't so hard now Arsenal was it :rolleyes:

[Kano]

90k a week + 3m signing on free, apparently. Now it's just a matter of when it's announced, expected to be next week.
I think it's fair to suggest that if we had of signed Villa, Theo would've been told to jog on.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

the drop in interest for zaha completely correlates with break-through talks with theo, which is worrying. did the board really think zaha was a capable replacement for theo?

[Xhaka Can’t]

The board thought it would be the minimum required to keep us quiet. Probably.

Personally I don't give a shit any more because we are dogshit for the foreseeable future.

[Gervinho's Forehead]

The board thought it would be the minimum required to keep us quiet. Probably.

Personally I don't give a shit any more because we are dogshit for the foreseeable future.

:gp:

[Özil's Panoramic View]

YEAAAHH! :patrice:

[Özim]

90k a week + 3m signing on free, apparently. Now it's just a matter of when it's announced, expected to be next week.
He'll be like a new signing :coffee:

[Xhaka Can’t]

He'll be like a new signing :coffee:

I really hope not.

[Gervinho's Forehead]

I really hope not.

Yeah not like the signings we've made recently eg giroud :sick:

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

need him to sign asap. it was the one ace card wenger held to not signing anyone this transfer window.

'our transfer target is to tie theo down to a new contract'

well he wasnt expecting theo to sign so quick. nowhere to hide now.

[Özim]

nowhere to hide now.
Have you seen the size of his penguin coat?

Even without that he has a pile of money to hide under if need be, that's what 7 million a season does for you.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

what a conman. banked £56m in the past 8 years. what have we done meanwhile? nothing.

hail the genius. sorry i mean rich genius.

[Fist of Lehmann]

90k a week + 3m signing on free, apparently. Now it's just a matter of when it's announced, expected to be next week.

I realise that for the good of the team this is probably for the best.
That teams are about partnerships, and that established players who make a tangible contribution are critical.
That stabilty is key, and that you can't build a team if you are constantly dismantling it.

In the context of this dysfunctional side, Theo Walcott is probably one of our most important players.

But fakk me this is underwhelming.

£90k with a £3m signing on fee? Christ.

[LDG]

I realise that for the good of the team this is probably for the best.
That teams are about partnerships, and that established players who make a tangible contribution are critical.
That stabilty is key, and that you can't build a team if you are constantly dismantling it.

In the context of this dysfunctional side, Theo Walcott is probably one of our most important players.

But fakk me this is underwhelming.

£90k with a £3m signing on fee? Christ.

I wouldn't go that far.

[Grebbo]

Expect him to be crap once he's signed up.

[LDG]

Expect him to be crap once he's signed up.

What, inconsistent?

[Özim]

I agree with the notion it's underwhelming, in this current side he's important as we're so average but it's not something I'm finding myself getting very excited about.

This is the first time we've managed to hold onto a player for a while if this is true, but I wish the first time we managed it was to keep hold of one of those world class talents we lost in the past.

To summarise: I'm not bovered

[Letters]

I agree with the notion it's underwhelming, in this current side he's important as we're so average but it's not something I'm finding myself getting very excited about.

This is the first time we've managed to hold onto a player for a while if this is true, but I wish the first time we managed it was to keep hold of one of those world class talents we lost in the past.

To summarise: I'm not bovered
You'd probably moan your tits off if he doesn't sign :shrug:

[Grebbo]

What, inconsistent?

No, just crap.

[Özim]

You'd probably moan your tits off if he doesn't sign :shrug:
I've never been that bothered, I've said as much before as well as I'm not a big fan. My favourite players have largely left now, there's a couple I think are decent but that's about it now, in the 90's even with an average team we still had the likes of Wright, Adams, Seaman (proper Internationals) now who do we have? Wenger has properly screwed us over, I can't stand him!

I'm more interested in who we do sign, or even who we don't!

[Fist of Lehmann]

You'd probably moan your tits off if he doesn't sign :shrug:

You have an unhealthy obsession with Zimms tits.

Not that there's anything wrong with unhealthy obsessions ofc.

[fakeyank]

I think keeping Theo is wonderful news.

For once, we will have continuity within the squad. Theo, Jack, Oxlade, Sczesny, Gibbs are the future of the club and if we can tie the backbone of the club down, I am very glad. One of the biggest mistakes we have done under Wenger was to let experienced players go just because they got 'shit' or werent at their best. While we banked good money on a crocked Henry, past it Vieira, Lauren, Gilberto, Toure, what we fail to understand was that these players had an influence in the dressing room. They knew what it is to win and fight for the club.
While Theo hasnt won a thing of note, I still feel continuity and someone who has been at Arsenal for so long re-signing for us is nothing but great news! Now to get the dead wood pieces of crap like Ramsey, Denilshit, Diaby, Rosicky, Arshavin to fuck off, so we can get in some new exciting faces!

[Letters]

You have an unhealthy obsession with Zimms tits.
Is that Zimm? :unsure:

I never know who anyone on here is any more tbh.

[GP]

Is that Zimm? :unsure:

I never know who anyone on here is any more tbh.

That's what I was saying, they all look the same.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Is that Zimm? :unsure:

I never know who anyone on here is any more tbh.

It's not?

Sweet lord there are two of the miserable buggers.

[Letters]

It's not?It might be.

I'm actually Sir Jack

Uhuh


4

[Fist of Lehmann]

It might be.

I'm actually Sir Jack

Uhuh


4

Still crying after [X] years?

Just wow.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

I think keeping Theo is wonderful news.

For once, we will have continuity within the squad. Theo, Jack, Oxlade, Sczesny, Gibbs are the future of the club and if we can tie the backbone of the club down, I am very glad. One of the biggest mistakes we have done under Wenger was to let experienced players go just because they got 'shit' or werent at their best. While we banked good money on a crocked Henry, past it Vieira, Lauren, Gilberto, Toure, what we fail to understand was that these players had an influence in the dressing room. They knew what it is to win and fight for the club.
While Theo hasnt won a thing of note, I still feel continuity and someone who has been at Arsenal for so long re-signing for us is nothing but great news! Now to get the dead wood pieces of crap like Ramsey, Denilshit, Diaby, Rosicky, Arshavin to fuck off, so we can get in some new exciting faces!

Should be in the future/backbone of the club list, tbh, if only on merit of just signing a new 5 year contract. He's not going anywhere soon as long as Lord Wenger is around.

[Niall_Quinn]

90K! Football is bat shit crazy. Then he needs a signing bonus on top, greed like that is hard to comprehend. Still, he's probably better than whatever shit we might have replaced him with because there was little chance of us signing a proper striker. Bit sad though if Wenger intends to play him through the centre, RvP to Walcott is a massive step backwards that now won't be fixed for the next couple of years at least when we can expect the same saga and another big pay demand while courting city and the chavs to force the issue. He's a horrible little **** who should be nowhere near this club and I have little doubt his form (if you can call showing up 40% of the time "form") will drop now the money is in the bank. But if we can get a handful of games out of him over the next 24 months then I guess that will have to do. He hasn't managed it in his career yet, that's the worry.

[Cripps_orig]

Brilliant news if true. Excellent player who's stepped up when others have disappeared. Legend status is almost guaranteed. From RVP to Theo, a step up in class, loyalty and eventually quality.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

What, inconsistent?

That's what the man said......

OK he has signed.....whether we like it or not, we need to move on, the team is not complete by a long way and others need to be brought in

[Xhaka Can’t]

Brilliant news if true. Excellent player who's stepped up when others have disappeared. Legend status is almost guaranteed. From RVP to Theo, a step up in class, loyalty and eventually quality.

If you were older, I'd swear you were Chief Editor of Pravda in the days of Brezhnev.

[Boss]

10:25 GMT: Despite some bold reporting elsewhere yesterday that Arsenal forward Theo Walcott had penned a new contract with the club, the BBC's David Ornstein has tweeted that there is no such deal in place: "Walcott has not agreed new deal (#afc yet to make offer & no formal talks) but could happen soon. Walcott wants to stay & football side sorted. If compromise reached on salary & image rights could happen quickly." (@bbcsport_david)

^^

[Gervinho's Forehead]

^^

Hmmmmm, now we know why there is nothing on Arsenal.com

[LDG]

Arsenal: Ok, 90k

Theo/Reps: 91k

Arsenal: Ok, £90,001

Theo/Reps: 91k

Arsenal: Ok, £90,001.50

Theo/Reps: £91k

Arsenal: Ok, £90501.50

Theo/Reps: £91k

Arsenal: Ok, £90751.52

Theo/Reps: £91k

Arsenal: Ok, £90991.57

Theo/Reps: £91k

Arsenal: Ok, £91k

Theo/Reps: £92k

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Sell the over-inflated opinion of himself git and splurge a little money on a real striker for once ffs a la Falcao.

[Kano]

arsenal buying falcao :lol:

[milla]

Sell the over-inflated opinion of himself git and splurge a little money on a real striker for once ffs a la Falcao.

:gp:

Wouldn't lose my sleep if Theo goes. Typical over inflated english players. :coffee:

[GP]

We should buy Steve McManaman.

[LDG]

We should buy Steve McManaman.

Mananamacnamanamanan manana nacnanan na

Mananamacmanananana manana mana na macmanaman!

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Great player.

Bit of a shit.

[Xhaka Can’t]

:gp:

Wouldn't lose my sleep if Theo goes. Typical over inflated english players. :coffee:

Over inflated Russian ones rule.

[Özim]

10:25 GMT: Despite some bold reporting elsewhere yesterday that Arsenal forward Theo Walcott had penned a new contract with the club, the BBC's David Ornstein has tweeted that there is no such deal in place: "Walcott has not agreed new deal (#afc yet to make offer & no formal talks) but could happen soon. Walcott wants to stay & football side sorted. If compromise reached on salary & image rights could happen quickly." (@bbcsport_david)
WTFC

[KSE Comedy Club]

:haha:

This club is a fucking joke.

[GP]

Here, have some cake

http://25.media.tumblr.com/8ca5893f9b740274db2f0ad32e5658c9/tumblr_mgcj94qdYL1qdlh1io1_400.gif

[KSE Comedy Club]

:sick:

;)

[fakeyank]

WTFC

WTF is Gazidis being paid for? What a fucking douche bag!

[Xhaka Can’t]

sigh

[GP]

sigh

Point taken.

[Power n Glory]

:gp:

Wouldn't lose my sleep if Theo goes. Typical over inflated english players. :coffee:

You should. We lose another one of our top performing players for another season running and there will be further consequences. The rot will continue. Selling Cesc and Nasri has had a domino effect. Wenger the socialist! :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Here, have some cake

http://25.media.tumblr.com/8ca5893f9b740274db2f0ad32e5658c9/tumblr_mgcj94qdYL1qdlh1io1_400.gif

WTF. :lol:

[Özim]

WTF. :lol:
You never heard of Baby Cakes?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6DDVHxbYnI

[Injury Time]

:blah: he so gone
:whistle:

[LDG]

My God, you have predicted that which nobody else did :o

[Xhaka Can’t]

Before you know it, he will predict that we win bugger all this season

[LDG]

Before you know it, he will predict that we win bugger all this season

Zimm predicted that 6 years ago :sulk:

[dazthegooner]

Zimm predicted that 6 years ago :sulk:

Well he wasn't wrong was he? <_<

[Injury Time]

My God, you have predicted that which nobody else did :o
nah being lazy quoting rather fucking around with smililes seperate page on this aged phone
me :pal:
just sooooo bored of this saga and our "managements" inability to seal a deal or just get rid and move on <_<

[Kano]

Wasn’t this supposed to be sorted this week? Granted, there are a couple of days left in the week but it still seems to be dragging on – unless they are waiting for a Friday announcement for a ‘moral’ boost before the weekend?

[server too busy!]

If he's signed something would have been said, it doesn't matter which day its not going to boost morale. Why is it we can only work on Walcott and noone else at the same time and why is it so delayed in actually offering him the contract. If he wants to stay offer him a new contract otherwise sell him after he's been replaced.

[Kano]

If he's signed something would have been said, it doesn't matter which day its not going to boost morale. Why is it we can only work on Walcott and noone else at the same time and why is it so delayed in actually offering him the contract. If he wants to stay offer him a new contract otherwise sell him after he's been replaced.
i think from the club's point of view they may see it as a 'moral' boost - regardless of whether it actually is to us or not.

as far as the noise indicates a contract has been offered and it is awaiting his signature, which was supposed to be this weekend - perhaps the man city game changed things. god knows.

[Marc Overmars]

Talk of it being done this week was from the papers, the only thing concrete with have in terms of quotes is Wenget saying the signs are positive and he expects it to be sorted by the end of the month.

[Kano]

yeah i know but they are usually some form of indicator, especially when it appears everywhere. oh well.

[Niall_Quinn]

The agents have to be satisfied with their bung too, it's not just Walcott that has to be buttered.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Why is it we can only work on Walcott and noone else at the same time and why is it so delayed in actually offering him the contract.

My guess is that it requires the entire negotiation team to prise Theo's grubby little fingers from the cash register.

If I were Theo, and 100% cynical, and had 0% regard for the club, I would hold negotiations up just till the end of January.
Right now the only card we hold is the possiblity of selling him (admittedly slim) and buying a replacement (lol).

Come close of Jan transfer window, Theo holds all the cards. He can sign anywhere he likes for an obscene signing on fee, and there's jack-all shit we can do about it.

Of course, that's just me, maybe Theo wouldn't dream of doing that.

[Kano]

anyone that chooses Lehmann as part of their online persona must have a streak of pure nazi evil coursing through their veins, so i'm not surprised in fairness.

[Power n Glory]

Maybe we'll announce it after the window has closed and we haven't signed anyone new. Strategic.

[Niall_Quinn]

Maybe we'll announce it after the window has closed and we haven't signed anyone new. Strategic.

Or announce he's leaving 2 minutes before the window closes and then berate the world for not having enough time to sign a top, top, top quality replacement. Then the whole business of the "war chest" available for the summer can start a new cycle.

[GP]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/walcott-signs-a-new-long-term-contract

[Letters]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/walcott-signs-a-new-long-term-contract

New Signings :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/walcott-signs-a-new-long-term-contract

Great news, great player. I think he should be played up front.

Theo, Theo :bow:

[Letters]

:lol:

I see what you've done there <_<

[Niall_Quinn]

New Signings :bow:

"Like" New Signings

Does this mean we won't be bidding for Messi?

[GP]

:lol:

I see what you've done there <_<

:pal:

[LDG]

Never trust that scoundrel GP :sulk:

[AKBapologist]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9806321/Arsenal-forward-Theo-Walcott-poised-to-sign-20m-deal.html

[LDG]

:haha:

He's shit, but everyone will be happy for a week or so.

[Power n Glory]

Son of a bitch!!!

[Özim]

If it's true that's near enough 110k a week.

Sorry but he's not worth that and we only have to pay it as we've got barely any decent players left.

No decent player would re-sign with us as it stands unless they weren't that bothered about their career, we've got no ambition, spend jack sh*t and have lost all our best players, why the f*ck would you want to stay with a sinking ship?

[LDG]

If it's true that's near enough 110k a week.

Sorry but he's not worth that and we only have to pay it as we've got barely any decent players left.

No decent player would re-sign with us as it stands unless they weren't that bothered about their career, we've got no ambition, spend jack sh*t and have lost all our best players, why the f*ck would you want to stay with a sinking ship?

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqxqcn9DWP1qmg4zfo1_500.gif

[Özim]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqxqcn9DWP1qmg4zfo1_500.gif
No way, PHW would never let anyone else touch his cash.

[Letters]

If it's true that's near enough 110k a week.

Sorry but he's not worth that
No footballer is worth that.
It's all meaningless and comparisons with other clubs and players don't make sense any more.
It's all gone mental.

[Niall_Quinn]

The three and half year deal is the most interesting part. I means we'll be negotiating with him again within the next couple of years.

[Cripps_orig]

He hasn't signed

[McNamara That Ghost...]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm4TG56KGZ4

[I_Killed_Kenny]

The standard has a similar story. Havent got a link tho. Supposedly to b announced next week. Thats all i cud eavesdrop on!

[Gooner23]

So bored of this saga now that I'm not sure I could give a shit either way.

If he does sign, the club will ram it it down our throats in the hope we'll ignore the fact we haven't strengthened the squad.

[Marc Overmars]

I'm just glad it looks like we might finally have been able to keep a player.

On we go to the next saga, which will probably be Sagan.

[GP]

I'm just glad it looks like we might finally have been able to keep a player.

On we go to the next saga, which will probably be Sagan.

I have a feeling Sagan won't be a saga at all. I think we'll be quite happy to move him on.

[Marc Overmars]

I think you're probably right.

[Kano]

If it's true that's near enough 110k a week.

Sorry but he's not worth that and we only have to pay it as we've got barely any decent players left.

No decent player would re-sign with us as it stands unless they weren't that bothered about their career, we've got no ambition, spend jack sh*t and have lost all our best players, why the f*ck would you want to stay with a sinking ship?
i'm sure he thinks he is shit too, that's why he staying. he gets ready to go onto the pitch and chuckles at how he got one over everyone.

it doesn't matter what he's worth, the important part is we at least attempt to keep together the core of our team for once.

[Ollie the Optimist]

most newspaper reports now suggeesting its a 3 and half year deal. what a waste of fucking time. end of next season and it all starts again. commit big or fuck off

[Ollie the Optimist]

If it's true that's near enough 110k a week.

Sorry but he's not worth that and we only have to pay it as we've got barely any decent players left.

No decent player would re-sign with us as it stands unless they weren't that bothered about their career, we've got no ambition, spend jack sh*t and have lost all our best players, why the f*ck would you want to stay with a sinking ship?


im 100% certain that if he left on a free in the summer, you wouldnt be saying any of this but blaming wenger for not signing up a first team player

[Marc Overmars]

most newspaper reports now suggeesting its a 3 and half year deal. what a waste of fucking time. end of next season and it all starts again. commit big or fuck off

That's fine with me, if he's shit he'll still retain his value and actually be worth selling.

[Kano]

most newspaper reports now suggeesting its a 3 and half year deal. what a waste of fucking time. end of next season and it all starts again. commit big or fuck off
will you hold a silent protest when he scores next?

[Maestro]

most newspaper reports now suggeesting its a 3 and half year deal. what a waste of fucking time. end of next season and it all starts again. commit big or fuck off

true

i would have expected at least another 4 years from date of signing

anyway win, win situation for theo more so, but guess we kept a player ...coz we sure as hell ain't signing anyone of note mithinks

[Maestro]

That's fine with me, if he's shit he'll still retain his value and actually be worth selling.

liverpool, end of next season for £30 mil, done deal

[Ollie the Optimist]

will you hold a silent protest when he scores next?

ill celebrate whenever he scores for us, i always do however it doesnt mean i wont stop thinking he is overrated and not a striker.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

liverpool, end of next season for £30 mil, done deal
:lol:

Those days are well and truly gone.

[Maestro]

:lol:

Those days are well and truly gone.

let me at least dream about the possibility

[Kano]

ill celebrate whenever he scores for us, i always do however it doesnt mean i wont stop thinking he is overrated and not a striker.
i never quite get why fans want to be so negative about a player who does a decent job. every single one of our players could be marked as 'overrated', so thinking of it on that basis, there is no enjoyment to be had at all.

[Ollie the Optimist]

i never quite get why fans want to be so negative about a player who does a decent job. every single one of our players could be marked as 'overrated', so thinking of it on that basis, there is no enjoyment to be had at all.

i find if a player isnt fucking around with a contract, pretending it isnt all about the money and mucking us around, im a lot more forgiving and supportive of them :good:

[Kano]

you need to get over that hump - it's called modern day football. dirty, horrible and rotten of course but part and parcel. if you can't ignore it, then you'll be following county cricket very soon.

also remember how we were all just done about pep, sooo certain to come to the prem? the papers are ****s, full of shit, so let's not forget that either.

[Ollie the Optimist]

you need to get over that hump - it's called modern day football. dirty, horrible and rotten of course but part and parcel. if you can't ignore it, then you'll be following county cricket very soon.

also remember how we were all just done about pep, sooo certain to come to the prem? the papers are ****s, full of shit, so let's not forget that either.


already do and love it :good:

yeah papers are full of shit, but the signs are there htat he he is fuckign around. take jack for instance, says he wants to stay with us for life, is an arsenal etc etc. signs a new deal in about two weeks after taht interview. theo says he loves us and wants to stay, hasnt signed after 18 months.

[Kano]

already do and love it :good:

yeah papers are full of shit, but the signs are there htat he he is fuckign around. take jack for instance, says he wants to stay with us for life, is an arsenal etc etc. signs a new deal in about two weeks after taht interview. theo says he loves us and wants to stay, hasnt signed after 18 months.
fucking around for what reason? for the reasons the papers say or otherwise? our track record with contracts is hardly crystal clear. sure, he wants more money but what player doesn't. it is too easy to hammer him for something only reported in papers.

[Özim]

im 100% certain that if he left on a free in the summer, you wouldnt be saying any of this but blaming wenger for not signing up a first team player
I've said many times I don't really care that much if he stays, we've sold our best players that I was fussed about.....it's a sad indictment of this club that he's one of our prized assets these days.