What now for Walcott?

[Power n Glory]

All strikers have movement (to match their style) and score goals.. RVP's intelligence which he combined with solid technique and strength. Again, this why Wenger never use Theo as striker, he is too one dimensional IMO. And remember it is not just scoring goal at Arsenal, it is about enabling others around you. Theo doesn't have this skills to be playing as CF for Wenger.

It is still early days to judge Podolski or Giroud, that's why I don't use their goal statistic to compare with Theo but rather what they offer on the play.

I think he's mounted a solid case to be fair. He's scored, was third on our assist charts, Wenger rates his movement off the ball so.....but if Wenger can't use him as a striker, then Theo should leave because there are managers out there that could develop him. So far, from what I've seen of Giroud, he doesn't fit the typical Wenger player that can create for other players. He isn't busy enough and seems a lot more like a typical power striker without the pace.

[Power n Glory]

Your argument works if you just assume Walcott is a striker. What a massive assumption. His positional play is catastrophic. His decision making entirely absent. How will this benefit him (or more importantly the team) if he's promoted to the key role? Wouldn't it have been a bit sad if he hadn't scored that sitter yesterday? Make a list, anyone would have scored it. He's shown some good finishing skills once in a blue moon. And for every time he's done that he's fluffed it ten or twenty times more. Seriously though, do you think that's not a fact? He can't pass, cross, shoot, beat a man, exploit space, do any of the things that mark out a top player, not with even minimum consistency - so move him up front?

In one respect I see what you are saying. Bendtner, Chamakh, so why not Walcott? Because we could do with a consistent performer up top. A proper player. We had one, he's gone. RvC carried us last year, are you really saying Walcott could have done it or even got close to it? Based on his development I just don't know where you get this confidence in his ability from. Yes he scored a few, yes he assisted, but if you play him enough times and the 1 in 10 will yield statistics. What's not included in those stats is the extreme wastage.

Anyway, he's gone. If we want to say it's for footballing reasons then fine, we can pretend the money angle is not there and Theo is somehow different, misunderstood, cheated from his legacy. Maybe he'll get his chance as a striker with City, Utd or the Chavs if what you say is true.

Stop talking. You're out of your element.

[milla]

I think he's mounted a solid case to be fair. He's scored, was third on our assist charts, Wenger rates his movement off the ball so.....but if Wenger can't use him as a striker, then Theo should leave because there are managers out there that could develop him. So far, from what I've seen of Giroud, he doesn't fit the typical Wenger player that can create for other players. He isn't busy enough and seems a lot more like a typical power striker without the pace.

I can see Theo scoring but I can't see him assisting or holding up the play (as CF) which is why I think he will never play as CF at Arsenal. He will not be able to use his crosses or pull backs to assist (which he did well last season) as much as he used to.

Giroud was top scorer last year in France, still early days to judge him.

[Niall_Quinn]

Stop talking. You're out of your element.

Actually, just double checked and Theo has signed a long term contract to show his commitment to the club, he's released a statement saying he's prepared to knuckle down and win a starting place rather than demand it by right, re-watched his games and it turns out he's the model of consistency and without a doubt has progressed year on year into one of the best players in the league and having thought things through, if he did decide to go elsewhere it would be a great way to repay the club for half a decade of patience.

Turns out you were right about everything. And there's me thinking he was a greedy little spoilt cocksucker who has ideas his talent simply can't match.

I think there's a lesson in this. We need to bend over a lot further for these players - because they're worth it.

[Power n Glory]

I can see Theo scoring but I can't see him assisting or holding up the play (as CF) which is why I think he will never play as CF at Arsenal. He will not be able to use his crosses or pull backs to assist (which he did well last season) as much as he used to.

Giroud was top scorer last year in France, still early days to judge him.

It's still early days but he doesn't look like a energetic mobile striker. That doesn't look like his style so it will be interesting to see how he goes about getting goals. He seems like someone that will be dependent on service so we'll need time to gel. As for hold up play...Gervinho played as striker yesterday and he wasn't holding up the ball with his strength. With Theo, I'm thinking quick one two exchanges with other attackers and movement will do th trick to pull players out of position. I'm thinking of how Spain player with Cesc up front for the Euros, how he played with Barca and sort of how Messi plays. Quick one twos and movement around the box to make openings. But anyway, we will have to see. At the moment, I think Gervinho may even be a good option because of his constant movement around the box. Plus, if Wenger has no faith in Theo to play up front, all the more reason for him not to sign a contract. Wenger said that is where his future lies and if Wenger can't develop him into that, he has to let him go.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's still early days but he doesn't look like a energetic mobile striker. That doesn't look like his style so it will be interesting to see how he goes about getting goals. He seems like someone that will be dependent on service so we'll need time to gel. As for hold up play...Gervinho played as striker yesterday and he wasn't holding up the ball with his strength. With Theo, I'm thinking quick one two exchanges with other attackers and movement will do th trick to pull players out of position. I'm thinking of how Spain player with Cesc up front for the Euros, how he played with Barca and sort of how Messi plays. Quick one twos and movement around the box to make openings. But anyway, we will have to see. At the moment, I think Gervinho may even be a good option because of his constant movement around the box. Plus, if Wenger has no faith in Theo to play up front, all the more reason for him not to sign a contract. Wenger said that is where his future lies and if Wenger can't develop him into that, he has to let him go.

With Theo I'm thinking bench and January boot.

[Syn]

I can see Theo scoring but I can't see him assisting or holding up the play (as CF) which is why I think he will never play as CF at Arsenal. He will not be able to use his crosses or pull backs to assist (which he did well last season) as much as he used to.

Giroud was top scorer last year in France, still early days to judge him.

But if we're going for 4-6-0 (or near enough like Saturday) then we don't need our CF to assist or hold-up play like Van Persie because they won't play with their back to goal. If we're going with Gervinho up front then I think Theo is also worth a crack. I'm glad Wenger is trying this formation though because I think it suits our players' strengths quite well. Forget about Giroud, he acts as a Crouch plan B.

[Power n Glory]

But if we're going for 4-6-0 (or near enough like Saturday) then we don't need our CF to assist or hold-up play like Van Persie because they won't play with their back to goal. If we're going with Gervinho up front then I think Theo is also worth a crack. I'm glad Wenger is trying this formation though because I think it suits our players' strengths quite well. Forget about Giroud, he acts as a Crouch plan B.

It's worth a shot because the first goal Gervinho scored, i can see Theo making that sort of movement all day. I'm also thinking about the way Cesc played for Spain. He's far from quick or strong, didn't hold the ball up but he was effective and hard to mark.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's worth a shot because the first goal Gervinho scored, i can see Theo making that sort of movement all day. I'm also thinking about the way Cesc played for Spain. He's far from quick or strong, didn't hold the ball up but he was effective and hard to mark.

I can see most teams defending the way Southampton did too.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

PNG VS NQ