What is stalling Theo??

[Özim]

That's fine with me, if he's shit he'll still retain his value and actually be worth selling.
Yup sign him up, sell him in the summer for 20 million, job done.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

It's taken me till now to realise he actually hasn't signed a new contract.

And I fell for it after it was outed as a joke.

Kudos, GP.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

arsenal trying to delay the contract as long as possible so they have an excuse not to sign players.

well played. we all know it'll be thrashed out on 30th january.

[saintnickle]

arsenal trying to delay the contract as long as possible so they have an excuse not to sign players.

well played. we all know it'll be thrashed out on 30th january.

That is exactly what is going to happen .The longer the deal with theo takes to be sorted out the less time to look at the transfer market.
I also would of thought that a club as big as arsenal have the manpower to look for targets and sign up players at the same time.What other reason can there be in the delay???

[Niall_Quinn]

That is exactly what is going to happen .The longer the deal with theo takes to be sorted out the less time to look at the transfer market.
I also would of thought that a club as big as arsenal have the manpower to look for targets and sign up players at the same time.What other reason can there be in the delay???

Waiting period, wanting period, wanking period... be patient.

[Fist of Lehmann]

arsenal trying to delay the contract as long as possible so they have an excuse not to sign players.

well played. we all know it'll be thrashed out on 30th january.

Firstly, signing Walcott does not excuse Arsenal from not signing a midfielder, hell, it doesn't even excuse us not signing a centre forward.

Secondly, we are happy with the excuses we already have, if the excuses become tired, we can rotate.

[Marc Overmars]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21060106?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Sounds like it's done.

[AKBapologist]

Carvani ? :)

sent from a fone

[Fist of Lehmann]

"The prices go always up at the start of the transfer market and go down in the last week. Sometimes as well they go up in the last week, but most of the time they go down in the last week.

"You know 90% of the transfer activity happens in the last week, if not in the last 48 hours."

Ah. That explains everything.

[Kano]

Tony Blair has nothing on this motherfucker.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ah. That explains everything.

48 hours is a bit adventurous. There's a danger a deal could be done in such a wide open time period.

[Fist of Lehmann]

48 hours is a bit adventurous. There's a danger a deal could be done in such a wide open time period.

We can avoid that danger provided we bid low and haggle downwards.

[Niall_Quinn]

We can avoid that danger provided we bid low and haggle downwards.

Excellent. Sounds like everything is in order.

[fakeyank]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21060106?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Sounds like it's done.

We are still 1% away from signing him up.. its better than 2%

[Ollie the Optimist]

i actually believe that he has now signed a new deal. his recent performances have had the effort of a man who has just got a massive pay rise and doesnt need to anything

[Maestro]

i actually believe that he has now signed a new deal. his recent performances have had the effort of a man who has just got a massive pay rise and doesnt need to anything

"the adebayor effect"

[Özim]

Ah. That explains everything.
So sometimes the prices go up in the last week and sometimes they go down.

Ah I see now, it's good that he cleared that up for us. Einstein would be jealous.

[Özim]

Ok guys, I've just come up with a 3rd option that could change life as you know it.....

















































Sometimes prices stay the same :yikes:

[Niall_Quinn]

Hmm, looks like we are going in circles.
http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1876&p=245302&viewfull=1#post245302

[Özim]

I've just clicked on that link and something amazing happened, I seemed to have entered a parallel reality where, Wenger said in an interview after thrashing Barcelona 6-0 that we had a little bit too much sharpness but oddly we had poor spirit and togetherness.

He confirmed, Messi, Ronaldo and Aguero were all on their way and said we were 98% away from humiliation.

When asked about the penalty decision he confirmed he saw everything.

[LDG]

Hmm, looks like we are going in circles.
http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1876&p=245302&viewfull=1#post245302

N_Q is a gayder.

[Niall_Quinn]

N_Q is a gayder.

Mr Obvious is in the house.

[Kano]

as i thought, he'll be 'signing' today, no doubt stage managed as some sort of 'boost' before the weekends game.

judging by the reaction on here to him, i don't think it will have the desired result.

depressing that when a player signs a new contract for us now, he can get the same reaction as those that piss off to another club.

[Joker]

Even people who don't like Theo and want him sold need to realise that if he went we would probably replace him with a less experienced and inferior player.

[Niall_Quinn]

Even people who don't like Theo and want him sold need to realise that if he went we would probably replace him with a less experienced and inferior player.

Somebody who wasn't so lethal in front of goal?

[Fist of Lehmann]

Hmm, looks like we are going in circles.
http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1876&p=245302&viewfull=1#post245302

N_Qception.

Starring Niall_Quinn as Niall_Quinn as Niall_Quinn as Niall_Quinn...

[PGFC]

Even people who don't like Theo and want him sold need to realise that if he went we would probably replace him with a less experienced and inferior player.

When Chakma comes back from his loan, it'll be like a new signing :good:

[Fist of Lehmann]

Even people who don't like Theo and want him sold need to realise that if he went we would probably replace him with a less experienced and inferior player.

There are literally zero people who don't realise that.

There are undiscovered pygmy tribes in the Okavango with no word for 'football' who realise that.

[Letters]

There are literally zero people who don't realise that.

There are undiscovered pygmy tribes in the Okavango with no word for 'football' who realise that.
:haha:

[Marc Overmars]

Done


Sky Sports News ‏@SkySportsNews

Theo Walcott has ended speculation over his future by agreeing a new three-and-a-half year deal with Arsenal #SSN

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well, they say 'in principle' on the yellow bar but yeah, it's a formality now.

Theo. :bow:

Always rated him (and his agent).

[Özim]

Three and a half year is a weird number, sounds to me like we'll sell him sooner rather than later based on that deal.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That's just so the contract runs out in the summer of 2016 presumably. We're likely to sell him soon enough whether it was 3 and a half or four.

[Marc Overmars]

Well the half is just so the contract ends in the summer of 2016 rather than January. :lol:

Personally I think he'll be sold in a couple of seasons.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:lol:

That's usually MS and I doing that.

[Niall_Quinn]

N_Qception.

Starring Niall_Quinn as Niall_Quinn as Niall_Quinn as Niall_Quinn...

I think you are looking into this too deeply.

[Özim]

Well the half is just so the contract ends in the summer of 2016 rather than January. :lol:

Personally I think he'll be sold in a couple of seasons.
:handbags:

:lol: Fair point but you'd think we'd have made it 4 1/2 years then as we usually get players on 4+ years deals.

I'm not that fussed but it pretty much means we have to sell him by the summer after next to guarantee a decent amount for him.

[Niall_Quinn]

It was a typo, it's a 3 and half hour deal, new contract talks are set to begin around 2pm today.

[Niall_Quinn]

Unless we fuck up and leave it to 3:15pm

[Marc Overmars]

I think the original contract he rejected was for 5 years. The fact he's earning more now but for a shorter length suggests the club want results from him because there's no way he'll be staying on this much without delivering. I think it's a good move really.

[Niall_Quinn]

I think the original contract he rejected was for 5 years. The fact he's earning more now but for a shorter length suggests the club want results from him because there's no way he'll be staying on this much without delivering. I think it's a good move really.

Or else nobody wanted him this time around so he'll have another bash in a couple of years.

[Özim]

Don't think there was huge demand for him to be honest, noone came up with a big package to try and sign him despite him being available on a free in the summer and being free to talk to clubs in January.

I think that reflects on his talent and inconsistent nature.

[Ollie the Optimist]

i think 3 and a half years is a waste of time for everyone invovled. it means we start all this shit again at the end of next season. with a five year deal, he could have signed and we could put him back on the wing where he belongs, and not needed to worry about it for five years. this time we cant, because then next season he will kick off about broken promises etc.

[Power n Glory]

Quit moaning. It's done now. We move on.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

So we've completed our single January signing, yay!

[Marc Overmars]

Paves the way for Cavani now tbf.

[Özim]

So we've completed our single January signing, yay!
Two signings actually.

You forgot Diaby.

[Özim]

Paves the way for Cavani now tbf.
Yeah we have to be a little bit cautious about him though, because the prices go always up at the start of the transfer market and go down in the last week. Sometimes as well they go up in the last week, but most of the time they go down in the last week.

[Dennis Bendtner]

Theo Walcott has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with Arsenal, worth £100,000 a week.

The club had tabled a five-year contract worth a reported £90,000-a-week with a signing-on bonus worth around £3m.

Walcott favoured a three-and-a-half year deal and common ground was found on that, and also on the complex area of image rights.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/SPORT/Pix/pictures/2012/8/30/1346337439925/Theo-Walcott-008.jpg

I'm sure he'll get over his X Factor disappointment now.

[GP]

http://znn.india.com/sports/2012/12/16/Jack-Wilshere.jpg

[Kano]

Don't think there was huge demand for him to be honest, noone came up with a big package to try and sign him despite him being available on a free in the summer and being free to talk to clubs in January.

I think that reflects on his talent and inconsistent nature.
and we were all sold into thinking pep would only be coming to the uk. goes to show how much the media and in turn, we know about any 'inside' information.

[Ollie the Optimist]

least he has signed. i dont think he is worth the 100k a week, i dont think he is even worth more then what jack is paid however at least it means our entire first team squad bar sagna are now all comitted for a few years at least. least it ends this saga, now he has to go out and prove he is worth taht amount of money. its all very well doing to get the contract, its doing after he has it taht counts

[Niall_Quinn]

least he has signed. i dont think he is worth the 100k a week, i dont think he is even worth more then what jack is paid however at least it means our entire first team squad bar sagna are now all comitted for a few years at least. least it ends this saga, now he has to go out and prove he is worth taht amount of money. its all very well doing to get the contract, its doing after he has it taht counts

Your post lacks little bit euphoria.

[GP]

Great news.

Now we can stick him back on the right where he belongs.

[Kano]

least he has signed. i dont think he is worth the 100k a week, i dont think he is even worth more then what jack is paid however at least it means our entire first team squad bar sagna are now all comitted for a few years at least. least it ends this saga, now he has to go out and prove he is worth taht amount of money. its all very well doing to get the contract, its doing after he has it taht counts
why does it matter what is he worth? chamakh and co should be on a debt repayment plans after the con they pulled.

[Ollie the Optimist]

why does it matter what is he worth? chamakh and co should be on a debt repayment plans after the con they pulled.

we cant moan about how chamkh etc take up wages because they are not worth it then ignore what theo gets.

[Ollie the Optimist]

credit to GP for retweeting this one


@rickygervais “@piersmorgan: BOOM! Thank you for your loyalty, Theo Walcott £100,000-a-week deal with Arsenal.”


I bet the money played a factor too.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well he's an Arsenal player for a while longer so I guess we maybe sort of perhaps at the end of the day get behind him and hope he can put in a decent performance between now and the next round of negotiations.

[Kano]

we cant moan about how chamkh etc take up wages because they are not worth it then ignore what theo gets.
it's a little different isn't it? one has been a key part of the team for a couple of seasons in terms of end product and the other has been here for a couple of seasons as a spare part.

i mean we could always let him go and replace because that process has really been successful for quite some time.

[Ollie the Optimist]

it's a little different isn't it? one has been a key part of the team for a couple of seasons in terms of end product and the other has been here for a couple of seasons as a spare part.

when he signed he wasnt a spare part though, he was also free meaning he could be paid more. look theo is worth more then chamakh etc its clear, however, is he worth being the highest paid player at the club? no he isn't

[Kano]

the point you are missing is, it doesn't matter what he is paid - it makes no difference whatsoever.

the ticket prices will rise. the directors will rape the club. we'll still miss out the cl spot. wenger will still be pillared for everything he deserves and more. why does he wage matter when everything else is far more important. we need him, like it or not, he wears our shirt, so let's concentrate our energies on those above him that will do far more damage than taking a weekly wage out the club. you are assessing his wage in relative terms to other footballers but really, that does not make any sense.

the game lost logic a long time ago. all this is being used for is as a stick to beat him with, which is bizarre as we'll be celebrating his goals/assists over the coming months and years. in fact, the frustration about his contract his merely a disguise for the frustration much higher up in the club and if we are not careful, we'll start sounding like chav fans shit scared to criticise the real problem.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Great news.

Now we can stick him back on the right where he belongs.

He belongs on the right of Norman Tebbit

[Niall_Quinn]

the point you are missing is, it doesn't matter what he is paid - it makes no difference whatsoever.

the ticket prices will rise. the directors will rape the club. we'll still miss out the cl spot. wenger will still be pillared for everything he deserves and more. why does he wage matter when everything else is far more important. we need him, like it or not, he wears our shirt, so let's concentrate our energies on those above him that will do far more damage than taking a weekly wage out the club. you are assessing his wage in relative terms to other footballers but really, that does not make any sense.

the game lost logic a long time ago. all this is being used for is as a stick to beat him with, which is bizarre as we'll be celebrating his goals/assists over the coming months and years. in fact, the frustration about his contract his merely a disguise for the frustration much higher up in the club and if we are not careful, we'll start sounding like chav fans shit scared to criticise the real problem.

Thank you. You've given me the courage to finally come out and start criticising Kroenke. No more Mr Nice Guy from me on this subject.

[Kano]

Empty words as usual. I need action. Fire and death will do.

[Niall_Quinn]

Empty words as usual. I need action. Fire and death will do.

We shall see.

Sent from my iPhone on way to Kroneke's house.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

We shall see.

Sent from my iPhone on way to Kroneke's house.

Scene from Mission Impossible 5?

[Niall_Quinn]

Scene from Mission Impossible 5?

I'm thinking Silence of the Lambs.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

a change in the tide at arsenal perhaps? we've actually managed to keep hold of a player.

lets hope this is the start of players staying instead of pissing off!

[Kano]

I'm thinking Silence of the Lambs.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/tumblr_lj04msNlfM1qit0mzo1_500.jpg

best to do it whilst he's out tbh.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Its on arsenal.com he signed da ting

[Marc Overmars]

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

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/images/jan_13/gun__1358522869_walcott_signs1.jpg

[PGFC]

So, nothing.

[Niall_Quinn]

Long term contract? Everything is so carefully crafted to say nothing.

[Ollie the Optimist]

"Theo is a strong player and also a great person, and the combination of his ability and pace always make him such a valuable asset either from the flanks or down the middle

Wenger - the ultimate wum :bow:

[Injury Time]

:coffee: has wenger got a pistol in right hand?
Soo can we actually get on with improving the squad now the wumming is over? Plz :pray:

[IBK]

This is good news. Theo isn't the best talent on earth, but he is an established EPL player, and for his goal scoring/assist record over the past couple of seasons I'd say 100k is about the going rate (albeit that the sums footballers are paid are ludicrous in themselves). We might have done better spending 3M on a punt from Ligue 1, but given Wenger's recent record I'm pleased we haven't.

More to the point, like it or not Theo is high profile. Plenty of kids look up to him and have his name on their shirts. To have one of our highest profile players decide to sign for us rather than stabbing us in the back is a good thing - and hopefully stops some of the rot that has infected us in terms of selling our best players.

I'm as disappointed as the next man over our general lack of transferr activity (again), but I think that Theo has more affinity for my club than our recent high profile departures, and let's not let our general despondency about our team's decline get us down about Theo's signing.

What I am more concerned about is why every signing we make seems to be such a drawn out drama compared to other clubs, and why we have seemingly had to use the transfer window to sign an existing player rather than fresh blood?

[Newguy]

This is good news. Theo isn't the best talent on earth, but he is an established EPL player, and for his goal scoring/assist record over the past couple of seasons I'd say 100k is about the going rate (albeit that the sums footballers are paid are ludicrous in themselves). We might have done better spending 3M on a punt from Ligue 1, but given Wenger's recent record I'm pleased we haven't.

More to the point, like it or not Theo is high profile. Plenty of kids look up to him and have his name on their shirts. To have one of our highest profile players decide to sign for us rather than stabbing us in the back is a good thing - and hopefully stops some of the rot that has infected us in terms of selling our best players.

I'm as disappointed as the next man over our general lack of transferr activity (again), but I think that Theo has more affinity for my club than our recent high profile departures, and let's not let our general despondency about our team's decline get us down about Theo's signing.

What I am more concerned about is why every signing we make seems to be such a drawn out drama compared to other clubs, and why we have seemingly had to use the transfer window to sign an existing player rather than fresh blood?

At least we shouldn't have to deal with any issues for at least a year and a half. Only Sagna left and I'm not bothered about him. I'm hoping we strengthen, but i don't think we will. But at least Theo has signed.

[LDG]

Sell him. He's shit!

[Injury Time]

Please close thread :ilt:

[Niall_Quinn]

Leave thread open, we'll need it again next season.

[Master Splinter]

Have we sold him yet?

[PGFC]

Stand by for a little bit hamstring, back in 3 weeks :ilt:

[GP]

He needs a big performance on Sunday.

[Niall_Quinn]

He needs a big performance on Sunday.

Or at least a performance.

[fakeyank]

He needs a big performance on Sunday.

Ramsey will take care of that

[AKBapologist]

I'm just Happy that we've stopped the rot. Theo, Gibbs, oxlaide and whilshire.

Ghel heaven.

sent from a fone

[Maestro]

Great news.

Now we can stick him back on the right where he belongs.

this, and if he wants to move to a better team ...he will have to perform week in and week out

[Maestro]

I'm just Happy that we've stopped the rot. Theo, Gibbs, oxlaide and whilshire.

Ghel heaven.

sent from a fone

jenkers, don't forget jenkers. sagan is off in the summer

personally, i love me some GHEL heaven. it's just like ghetto heaven, hydrodrops

[Maestro]

He needs a big performance on Sunday.

he doesn't, we do ...from him. we've paid upfront and now we need our payback

[GP]

Ramsey will take care of that

Cool, he's been pretty good recently.

[Cripps_orig]

Fuck yes.

Leader and best player of our British contingent signs to follow his minions.

Has single handedly restored all true gooners faith in football

[V-Pig]

Joke. Theo thinks he's worth more than JW. And he's got it.

At least we know it was just about money as was previously suspected.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well he's our greedy little bastard now so we just have to hope he does the biz. No more Swansea performances allowed.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Fuck yes.

Leader and best player of our British contingent signs to follow his minions.

Has single handedly restored all true gooners faith in football

Always knew u rated and held Sir Jack in very high regards, tbh.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Fuck yes.

Leader and best player of our British contingent signs to follow his minions.

Has single handedly restored all true gooners faith in football

That post is similar to one of Theo's crosses, high and far off its mark.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Just read on BBC website the news

He gets 100k which what he wanted and the deal is for 3 and a half years when we wanted 5.

Tell me who came out on top?

Feck it its over now, whether we like it or not.

Now go out and pay the big feckers release clause if you have the balls, because that is a guy that cam contribute all over the pitch and would not be a waste of money because any incoming manager would be over the moon to inheri him

[Cripps_orig]

Always knew u rated and held Sir Jack in very high regards, tbh.

I do rate Sir Jack but til he gets an end product, Theo is more important. Good to see Theo beingnpaidnwhat he's worth when you consider Jack got 80k a week for being injured

[Power n Glory]

The club have done what's necessary to secure one of our best players. He's our top goal scorer and we don't need the uncertainty hanging over our heads all season. It's good for the squad because of what he brings to the team and morale, yet we've got people still complaining about the wages he's on. It's irrelevant and all this nonsense about what he's worth is crazy because our wage structure isn't based on performance related or based merit. We have a squad full of overpaid players that haven't done anything to warrant a huge wage increase because we have this silly 'socialist' model. As said before, if we cleared out most of the dross, we could afford to pay our top performers extra and this idea of a fair wage structure is suicide. They were discussing this last week on Sunday Supplement and it's something that has been repeated on here several times.

I hope the club have turned a corner with this deal. We have to abandon this socialist model because we will keep cutting our nose to spite our face. Once JW, Ox or whoever else hits their potential and other clubs start taking note, we'd end up losing them during contract negotiations because we'd be reluctant to push pass the £100k mark. As said, JW is already close to that with £85k. A 5 year deal worth £90k a week won't be accepted and would be a slap in the face if we even we even thought of offering that for his next contract. The club needs to think this model through because it's badly flawed and can't believe we have professionals signing off on this model. It's madness. But I hope they have come to their senses. Even if that's not the case, it would have been ludicrous to let Theo Walcott leave on a free transfer anyway. That's when you know they have truly lost the plot. It just doesn't make £ or sense.

[Xhaka Can’t]

If we hadn't sold almost all our quality, the hype over Theo would have at the very least been far less. That there was this angst over Walcott demonstrates how clearly how we have fallen in terms of talent and quality. PnG is right - our pay structure has led us to this situation. It is just a massive massive pity that it has come that far that it is being broken for a player of the quality of Walcott.

Had the Club taken this type of ation three years ago, had Walcott departed today, it would barely have registered and he would be a footnote in the Club's history. That nan has a lot to prove now he has that contract.

[milla]

£100k per-week for a man who nutmeg himself. Wumger :bow:

[AKBapologist]

@OptaJoe 31% - Theo Walcott has best chance conversion rate of any player in the 2012-13 PL with more than 5 goals (excl pens). Signed.

sent from a fone

[Niall_Quinn]

Unfortunately it's true, we had to keep this guy because we had to stop the loss of blood somehow. For whatever reason (probably purely because he's English) Walcott is viewed as a top player. So losing him would have been another signal that Arsenal is nothing more than an incubator and shopping mall for the serious clubs.

I think what's really gone wrong with our player policy is Wenger's mistaken belief there is an ounce of loyalty in this game. Maybe there is an ounce, but that's it. He's been bringing young talent in in the hope of building long term careers at the club. I guess he's wanted to build one team behind another for a smooth progression when it was time for young players to make the step up. It's not a bad idea but it can't work when you have comedy teams like Man City and Chelsea in the league. And in all fairness any fool should be able to figure that out. We should have modified this policy sooner but it has persisted too long and has resulted in us obtaining the worst of both worlds, the loss of talent we have carefully developed plus (until recently) a lack of experience that comes about from having a youth policy as an alternative and to the exclusion of a buying policy (Barcelona mixes it up, we don't).

The kids are on higher than normal wages because we want to keep them at the club. This will mean risking silly wages on a prospect that might not make the grade. But it also means the odd Jack Wilshere comes through. Jack is the ideal example of the model working. But he's a rare case. Other supposed stars haven't materialised, Djourou being a good example. Clichy. And Ashley Cole who started the rot. Cole should have been the danger sign and the cue to make a change. Can't remember how many years ago he left now but there has been enough time between then and now to shift to a more balanced policy of youth and splashing a bit of cash on experience. That started happening as a panic measure a couple of summers back and has progressed with signings like Podolski but the damage has already been done and the huge squad we have and the high wage bill has left us at a big disadvantage.

Tie in a billionaire who doesn't want to spend a penny and the result is bland and mediocre from a footballing perspective. So I see Wenger as naive in placing his faith in the character of the modern day player and I see Kroenke as... just a tight, greedy, ignorant bastard to be completely fair about it. Bad combination.

[Niall_Quinn]

@OptaJoe 31% - Theo Walcott has best chance conversion rate of any player in the 2012-13 PL with more than 5 goals (excl pens). Signed.

sent from a fone

Stats don't tell the story of Walcott. Walcott will miss when you desperately need him to score. The opposite of RvP.

[Power n Glory]

Stats don't tell the story of Walcott. Walcott will miss when you desperately need him to score. The opposite of RvP.

That's not true. Big games like Barca, Spurs, Chelsea....he usually turns up and gets important goals. As a striker, I think he'll get even more chances and with time he'll get better because he's more of a natural finisher compared to Adebayor and once that guy that his confidence he was hitting the back of the net on a regular. As for RVP, at Walcott's age, the guy was inconsistent and would chances, have games where he wasn't involved with build up play but all of sudden score a wonder goal....RVP has hit his peak now and is different player to what he was when he was Walcott's age. It's worth remembering that.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

lets stop over analysing things and look at the simple.

when including appearance fees and bonuses (115k-120k), he's on about twice as much as squillaci and chamakh. thats about right.

we rewarded one of our best players with best stats with a new contract. thats about right.

we broke our socialist wage structure to tie down a player. thats about right.

this is the way it should always have been but lets hope this is the start of new things. berate wenger and the board for a lot of things, but rewarding theo with a new contract should not be one.

this wasnt about us standing firm and being stubborn in terms of giving money to a player, this was about starting fresh and breaking the mould. we absolutely had to tie theo down because he was the kingpin of the youth policy wenger believes in so much. theo was here since the beginning and was home grown, you lose theo and the past 6 years would have been a complete waste of time. cesc left because he went home, theo leaving home would have undermined every word wenger has spoken in the past few years. for once the player won at this club and its a relief because its two fingers to the status quo. lets hope we see more of it because for too long we have been far left in our values.

6 british first team players tied down in the space of a month. result.

[fakeyank]

lets stop over analysing things and look at the simple.

when including appearance fees and bonuses (115k-120k), he's on about twice as much as squillaci and chamakh. thats about right.

we rewarded one of our best players with best stats with a new contract. thats about right.

we broke our socialist wage structure to tie down a player. thats about right.

this is the way it should always have been but lets hope this is the start of new things. berate wenger and the board for a lot of things, but rewarding theo with a new contract should not be one.

this wasnt about us standing firm and being stubborn in terms of giving money to a player, this was about starting fresh and breaking the mould. we absolutely had to tie theo down because he was the kingpin of the youth policy wenger believes in so much. theo was here since the beginning and was home grown, you lose theo and the past 6 years would have been a complete waste of time. cesc left because he went home, theo leaving home would have undermined every word wenger has spoken in the past few years. for once the player won at this club and its a relief because its two fingers to the status quo. lets hope we see more of it because for too long we have been far left in our values.

6 british first team players tied down in the space of a month. result.

:gp:

[AKBapologist]

Stats don't tell the story of Walcott. Walcott will miss when you desperately need him to score. The opposite of RvP.

RVP was all potencial and little end product at Theo's age

sent from a fone

[LDG]

RVP was all potencial and little end product at Theo's age

sent from a fone

No he was compared to Bergkamp, in that he could become as good.

Theo is nowhere near the league of Thierry Henry.

[Özim]

No he was compared to Bergkamp, in that he could become as good.

Theo is nowhere near the league of Thierry Henry.
Pretty much, RVP was always an amazing talent it was just that he was injured a lot.

Walcott is nothing special, if only we'd broken the bank for someone that was actually worth it, I've long said I'm not that fussed whether he signs on again, there didn't seem to be much interest in him from big clubs which probably made it easier for him to sign.

[Özim]

If we hadn't sold almost all our quality, the hype over Theo would have at the very least been far less. That there was this angst over Walcott demonstrates how clearly how we have fallen in terms of talent and quality. PnG is right - our pay structure has led us to this situation. It is just a massive massive pity that it has come that far that it is being broken for a player of the quality of Walcott.

Had the Club taken this type of ation three years ago, had Walcott departed today, it would barely have registered and he would be a footnote in the Club's history. That nan has a lot to prove now he has that contract.
Pretty much agree with all of this, he's really not a particularly talented player but he's one of our better players which says more about us than it does him.

[Grebbo]

Theo's the most effective and productive player in our squad. I don't think anyone can doubt that. The stats speak for themselves.

Is this because Theo is a great player or is it because our squad is shite? When you strip the squad of world class talent like we have done you're left with decent players (Theo) becoming your best players. You have to pay your best players the going rate.

Why does anybody care what Theo is being paid? It's not as if we'd have spent his wages on buying a better player so we may as well stick with what we've got.

[Grebbo]

Walcott is nothing special, if only we'd broken the bank for someone that was actually worth it, I've long said I'm not that fussed whether he signs on again, there didn't seem to be much interest in him from big clubs which probably made it easier for him to sign.

Name a better winger in the league.

There's only one and monkeys don't count.

[Mr. Lahey]

^^ he's a striker now though,isnt he? :rolleyes:

[Mr. Lahey]

Pretty much, RVP was always an amazing talent it was just that he was injured a lot.

Walcott is nothing special, if only we'd broken the bank for someone that was actually worth it, I've long said I'm not that fussed whether he signs on again, there didn't seem to be much interest in him from big clubs which probably made it easier for him to sign.

I agree, although I think Walnut is a decent player lets not fool ourselves here. The decision to cave to his demands out of every other WC player we have sold on is baffling and I am still scratching my head. I think the club knew that if they sold him on the fans would revolt, this signing will cover up for the lack of signings in the transfer period. Wenger will point to signing the players that we have as most important, rather than bringing anyone else in.

[Niall_Quinn]

RVP was all potencial and little end product at Theo's age

sent from a fone

But we had RvP playing for us at his peak and he was scoring goals. Now we don't have him. If we have to wait 5 years for Walcott to hit his peak and we don't intend to get a quality striker while we wait then we're pretty much up shit creek aren't we? We need results on the pitch today as well as in 5 years.

[Kano]

tbf unless he is played centrally most weeks, then it will be hard to make something of himself as a striker.

yes he has to make the most of his chances but he also has to be allowed to grow into the role. that's just being realistic.

[Özim]

^^ he's a striker now though,isnt he? :rolleyes:
Pretty much and I can name a host of better strikers.

[Özim]

I agree, although I think Walnut is a decent player lets not fool ourselves here. The decision to cave to his demands out of every other WC player we have sold on is baffling and I am still scratching my head. I think the club knew that if they sold him on the fans would revolt, this signing will cover up for the lack of signings in the transfer period. Wenger will point to signing the players that we have as most important, rather than bringing anyone else in.
Agree with this, we've done nothing in the transfer window when it was clear a month and a half ago we needed some quality, a few half arsed win and Theo re-signing and it's all forgotten and like you and Wenger has already said getting Walcott to sign was the most important thing.

Still amazes me that a club of our stature can only deal with one player at a time or at least that's what they want us to think, had we been interested in signing players we'd have been well on our way by now.

As usual though Wenger came up with his excuses of players being cup tied for the CL, the Walcott contract situation and players being too expensive, he's football's biggest joke IMO and I say that knowing that he brings it on himself.

I don't mind Walcott signing on, as I've said I don't think he's anything amazing (we sold all those players that were) but we don't have any better so it's not a bad thing, the lack of signings is however.

[Özim]

There's only one and monkeys don't count.
I know, they scream insults at others, then talk some sh*t about needing to be respected and then make some daft comment about someone's shoes.

[Özim]

Name a better winger in the league.
Bale, Hazard, Silva, Mata of the top of my head they've all played on the wing and I'd take any of those over him.


No f*cker went after Walcott even though his deal was almost up, that just doesn't happen if you're a top player.

[Kano]

but none of them are used as wingers now.

bale maybe but he pretty much goes where he wants.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Yea, it's the general consensus that the league is a bit shit, but no need to further degrade it by stating that Theo is best at anything in it.

[Özim]

but none of them are used as wingers now.

bale maybe but he pretty much goes where he wants.
Well if Walcott gets what he wanted neither will he be, the point is all of those players can operate as wingers and if someone offered us a straight swap for Theo it would be a no brainer as they are clearly more talented players.

[Ollie the Optimist]

tbf unless he is played centrally most weeks, then it will be hard to make something of himself as a striker.

yes he has to make the most of his chances but he also has to be allowed to grow into the role. that's just being realistic.


however, we dont have time for that. he has demanded he is played up front, he has to take that chance now, or go back to the wing. while it might not be his fault that we dont have time for him to grow up front, and blame can be put at wengers door for poor management etc, theo has to what is best for the team. that means, playing where he is told to play and putting in 100% effort the whole time and taking his chance when he gets it

[Kano]

when did he demand?

the anti feeling toward our own players at times is staggering.

[Kano]

Well if Walcott gets what he wanted neither will he be, the point is all of those players can operate as wingers and if someone offered us a straight swap for Theo it would be a no brainer as they are clearly more talented players.
i wouldn't take a direct swap at all, as they would lose a lot of their effectiveness. any of those for someone in the centre of our team, sure no problem.

[Kryptonite]

The new contract shows it was about the money all along, but hes a really good finisher and he will score a lot of goals. don't understand the negativity about this!!!

[Marc Overmars]

The new contract shows it was about the money all along, but hes a really good finisher and he will score a lot of goals. don't understand the negativity about this!!!

Theo got one over the club and people don't like it.

Whilst Theo is not the best player we've ever had I'm happy and I hope this is a sign we're now prepared to push the limits of our wage structure in order to keep those who are most important.

It's all well and good saying so and so is replaceable but that doesn't take into account how it affects the team losing key players and in some cases friends every year. Wenget likes to preach about keeping a core group together and this is a step in the right direction.

[Özim]

i wouldn't take a direct swap at all, as they would lose a lot of their effectiveness. any of those for someone in the centre of our team, sure no problem.
Like I said those players have and can play on the wing and all have the skills to do so, so I still say it's a no brainer. Talent wise Walcott is limited.

[Özim]

Theo got one over the club and people don't like it.
I don't give a sh*t to be honest, it's about time a player got what he wanted. Trouble is, it was the wrong player to give in to.

I'm not fussed because he's not a huge talent.

[Kano]

Like I said those players have and can play on the wing and all have the skills to do so, so I still say it's a no brainer. Talent wise Walcott is limited.
for too many years we buy players who play far better in the middle, then stick them on the wing and they become very inconsistent. players can do 'a job' in other positions but that's not the idea of building a strong starting eleven. so i don't see the sense in your logic. anyway, your idea is pure fantasy.

[Özim]

for too many years we buy players who play far better in the middle, then stick them on the wing and they become very inconsistent. players can do 'a job' in other positions but that's not the idea of building a strong starting eleven. so i don't see the sense in your logic. anyway, your idea is pure fantasy.
Yeah it is pure fantase as none of those clubs woudl ever contemplate a swap for those players in return for Walcott.

I don't think it's an unnatural position for any of the players listed to be honest, beating your man is important on the wing and they can all do so.

[Kano]

I don't think it's an unnatural position for any of the players listed to be honest, beating your man is important on the wing and they can all do so.
in a direct team sure but in ours, under wenger? forget it. that's why it doesn't work and that is the point worth remembering.

[Power n Glory]

for too many years we buy players who play far better in the middle, then stick them on the wing and they become very inconsistent. players can do 'a job' in other positions but that's not the idea of building a strong starting eleven. so i don't see the sense in your logic. anyway, your idea is pure fantasy.

It's what we're seeing with Podolski right now and I've always been baffled by Wenger's decision to play Rosicky and Nasri outwide instead of sticking them in the middle with Fabregas and dropping weak links like Denilson completely out of the team. Pisses me off to think what could have been if we'd have played a Cesc, Song Rosicky/Diaby/Nasri combo from the early years. Wenger can take way to long to change things that aren't working. Just look how good Rosicky looks in the middle and same goes for Diaby. When fit, we wasted seasons playing both players out in wide positions.

[Power n Glory]

when did he demand?

the anti feeling toward our own players at times is staggering.

Was watching Sunday Supplement this morning and they have given Theo some credit for his stance and performance so far. I can't understand the anti Theo sentiment either. As said on the show, we offered a very harsh sign or be sold in the summer type offer, they pointed out that Theo may have felt the brunt of other Arsenal players leaving and one or two said Wenger and the club have been a little childish in their conduct. I'd agree with that. It makes me think of the Song situation and I can't understand why we made such a hasty decision and it could be out of petulance. Burnt by the actions of past players, maybe we wrongly tried to get too tough. Walcott was frozen out of the squad and Wenger was trying to prove we didn't need him by talking up Gnarby and giving Gervinho games up front. It's backfired badly and they had to come back to the table to talk properly with Theo and his people.

As said on the show, it's funny because Theo should have been treated better because he wanted to stay with the club unlike the other players. The mentioned the hours after training he puts in on his finishing and his professional attitude when representing Arsenal. With the press and before games, they said he leads by example and is out greeting people while the rest are still in their hotel rooms playing PS3. :lol: He's been respectful and hasn't done anything to make us look bad so I can't understand the initial stance from the club or some fans for that matter. Reminds me a little bit of Beckham. Ambassador for the sport in attitude and professionalism but hated. Not technically the most gifted but he works hard at his craft. Kids alright with me and I'm glad he's staying.

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh good grief.

£90k pw basic and only a three and a half year contract. That tell us everything we need to know about Walcott and his plans. Besides, what kind of fantasy world is it when we are talking about these ultra-privileged kids having a hard time of it? There needs to be some perspective applied here. The whole balance between players and their clubs is desperately tipped.

The fucker had better get down to business today and start earning that money.

Btw, the journos on Sunday Supplement are all twats. Have you noticed?

[Syn]

Didn't think he would stay but delighted that he is. Gotta love them Brits. Ghel Theory is a real science.

[IBK]

Was watching Sunday Supplement this morning and they have given Theo some credit for his stance and performance so far. I can't understand the anti Theo sentiment either. As said on the show, we offered a very harsh sign or be sold in the summer type offer, they pointed out that Theo may have felt the brunt of other Arsenal players leaving and one or two said Wenger and the club have been a little childish in their conduct. I'd agree with that. It makes me think of the Song situation and I can't understand why we made such a hasty decision and it could be out of petulance. Burnt by the actions of past players, maybe we wrongly tried to get too tough. Walcott was frozen out of the squad and Wenger was trying to prove we didn't need him by talking up Gnarby and giving Gervinho games up front. It's backfired badly and they had to come back to the table to talk properly with Theo and his people.

As said on the show, it's funny because Theo should have been treated better because he wanted to stay with the club unlike the other players. The mentioned the hours after training he puts in on his finishing and his professional attitude when representing Arsenal. With the press and before games, they said he leads by example and is out greeting people while the rest are still in their hotel rooms playing PS3. :lol: He's been respectful and hasn't done anything to make us look bad so I can't understand the initial stance from the club or some fans for that matter. Reminds me a little bit of Beckham. Ambassador for the sport in attitude and professionalism but hated. Not technically the most gifted but he works hard at his craft. Kids alright with me and I'm glad he's staying.

Can't find fault with any of that. When you think of Adebayor; Cesc; RVP - I think the kids conducted himself well. On and off the pitch.

[Grebbo]

Btw, the journos on Sunday Supplement are all twats. Have you noticed?

The worst is that Ollie Holt cheb. Wears a hair band ffs!

[Niall_Quinn]

The worst is that Ollie Holt cheb. Wears a hair band ffs!

It's to stop his head exploding in a shower of shit. Better on than off for sure. They are such fucking "inside experts" and then Pep goes to Bayern. Theo to Chelsea, done deal! Theo stays - just as they always said for those with zero memory. Who believes anything they spout? Their job is to sensationalise trivia, nothing more. And, to their shame, they are happy doing it. Real journalists unearth things that we're not supposed to know about. Real journalists are few and far between.

[Power n Glory]

The worst is that Ollie Holt cheb. Wears a hair band ffs!

I can't stand him either but his views aren't that far off from what e a few people say on here. The constant excuses for Wenger, still the right man for the job...etc. Not far off from what I've read on here at all.

[Syn]

Didn't think he would stay but delighted that he is. Gotta love them Brits. Ghel Theory is a real science.


on Newcastle's French contingent...Newcastle have made good buys and done very well on the market. You go for quality players, you do not look very much where they come from. I spoke about the core of English players [at Arsenal] because it is easier to keep them together, than if you have players from Spain or South America. The most important [thing] is the quality of players, and on that front Newcastle have done very well.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/press-conference-extra-schalke-newcastle

A real science.

[saintnickle]

Arsene would of loved to drag the theo saga out till the 31st and unveiled him as our new signing ,unfortunately it got sorted sooner than expected.