What now for Walcott?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We really shouldn't be pinning this just on Wenger either - how many national managers have played him in a similar position (in Capello's case even deeper)? It can't be coincidence that they all arrive at a similar decision on where he should be played. He can say he has 'learnt his trade' there but to me, that's just code for my heart isn't in playing there anymore.

Gervinho this season is the benchmark for Theo, not neccesarily in finishing, I mean I think two of them haven't landed yet but in terms of making the given role work. There hasn't been too many times I can remember Theo has been in the position for a tap-in, like Gervinho has this season. We're not playing with conventional strikers, we haven't for a very long time - even Giroud still pulls left like every 'big man' we've had up front for time immemorial.

[Bergkampwonderland10]

Henry: Hey boss, if you don't play me up front this season I'm going to go cry to the papers.
Wenger: No you need to work on beating your man at pace first, then you can play anywhere you want
Henry: Ok
= Arsenal Legend who never earnt more than 100k a week, even when offered silly money elsewhere.
Until he buggered off the Barca for a bit lol

[Bergkampwonderland10]

Considering the only decent striker we have atm is Podolski, Wenger should do as hes said for years and play Theo upfront and no doubt Theo will sign a contract.

We know hes a good finisher, hes got pace and he can take people on. What else is needed for a striker? Hes better than Gerv and Giroud tbh

More importantly, it might change the way we play and we can go back to the fast paced play rather than the shite we have seen for years

Cant hurt to try it out and im not just talking about in one game, give him a run in the team upfront

I don't disagree with any of that, or giving him a go. I just think the whole contract situation and his 'attitude' if you like is not good. Not good for him, not for the club and am sure Van Persie had a word in his ear on his way up to Manchester. That's all. I'd like nothing more than walcott to stay, sign a 5 year deal at 75k or 100k whatever, and show us that he can be an Arsenal legend.

[Cripps_orig]

We really shouldn't be pinning this just on Wenger either - how many national managers have played him in a similar position (in Capello's case even deeper)? It can't be coincidence that they all arrive at a similar decision on where he should be played.

National managers play players for the most part where they are played for their club.

If Theo played upfront for us then he'd play upfront for England.

Do not forget, Rooney is undroppable regardless of how shits hes been for England and they only play one upfront and its bound to be him

[Power n Glory]

He wants to leave on a Bosman - he'll get a pay day like he can't even imagine. His people don't want him to stay and I think they've talked him around into the same way of thinking. I have no doubt he once loved our club. But Van Persie's departure was the straw that broke the camels back. Even if he's offered 100k a week he'll be off, guaranteed. His last contract took six months to sign this one is gonna take 2 years, and he's already used up one. They've played us and he's played us. The whole 'it's about time' I get my chance up front is an ultimatum...erm gone are the days when players would play anywhere the gaffer put them so long as they were on the pitch playing for the shirt. All about the money I'm afraid and his attempts to come out looking good in all this are pretty transparent. He wont be a gooner come end of January. Shame but that's the way the game goes these days. Play him up front in the capital one cup - he has no idea how to hold the ball up, turn a defender inside out...he can run onto a through ball and that's it, but look at someone in the class of podolski either on the left or centrally - it's a different class - even michael owen could do it at 17.

What do you think he's been doing since signing? He's been playing out of position for the boss for years and it hasn't helped his reputation at all. Sweeping statements about his ability are all too common these days. It's as if his first goal for Arsenal has been wiped from history with the stuff he's done recently. He's had games where he's torn through Liverpool's defence, shell shocked Barca, got one over Ashely Cole and caused problems for Chelsea, problems against City and turned the spurs game on it's head last season. He's still a work in progress but he's had too many games where he's shown class to write him off in such a way.

The Owen comparison is funny because he had that Liverpool assist where he ran through there defence to assist Ade and that was compared to Owen's World cup 98 goal. What would be the story if Owen was played out on the wing just because of that run and his pace?

[Olivier's xmas twist]

We really shouldn't be pinning this just on Wenger either - how many national managers have played him in a similar position (in Capello's case even deeper)? It can't be coincidence that they all arrive at a similar decision on where he should be played. He can say he has 'learnt his trade' there but to me, that's just code for my heart isn't in playing there anymore.

Gervinho this season is the benchmark for Theo, not neccesarily in finishing, I mean I think two of them haven't landed yet but in terms of making the given role work. There hasn't been too many times I can remember Theo has been in the position for a tap-in, like Gervinho has this season. We're not playing with conventional strikers, we haven't for a very long time - even Giroud still pulls left like every 'big man' we've had up front for time immemorial.

Spot on, but because Wenger broke his promise we must blame him, must be Wengers fault Theo did not play in the 2006 WC to, must have told sven not to.

[Bergkampwonderland10]

We really shouldn't be pinning this just on Wenger either - how many national managers have played him in a similar position (in Capello's case even deeper)? It can't be coincidence that they all arrive at a similar decision on where he should be played. He can say he has 'learnt his trade' there but to me, that's just code for my heart isn't in playing there anymore.

Gervinho this season is the benchmark for Theo, not neccesarily in finishing, I mean I think two of them haven't landed yet but in terms of making the given role work. There hasn't been too many times I can remember Theo has been in the position for a tap-in, like Gervinho has this season. We're not playing with conventional strikers, we haven't for a very long time - even Giroud still pulls left like every 'big man' we've had up front for time immemorial.

Yep!

[Letters]

Henry: Hey boss, if you don't play me up front this season I'm going to go cry to the papers.
Wenger: No you need to work on beating your man at pace first, then you can play anywhere you want
Henry: Ok
= Arsenal Legend who never earnt more than 100k a week, even when offered silly money elsewhere.
Until he buggered off the Barca for a bit lol

Making up a conversation which never happened doesn't really add anything to this discussion.

[Cripps_orig]

I don't disagree with any of that, or giving him a go. I just think the whole contract situation and his 'attitude' if you like is not good. Not good for him, not for the club and am sure Van Persie had a word in his ear on his way up to Manchester. That's all. I'd like nothing more than walcott to stay, sign a 5 year deal at 75k or 100k whatever, and show us that he can be an Arsenal legend.

I dont see an attitude. I see a young man standing up for himself to get what he wants. Hes not asking for a move away or for more money. Hes asking for Wenger to keep his word. Especially when you consider the crap we have played upfront this season already and in years gone by

Can Wenger keep it? We shall see

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Henry: Hey boss, if you don't play me up front this season I'm going to go cry to the papers.
Wenger: No you need to work on beating your man at pace first, then you can play anywhere you want
Henry: Ok
= Arsenal Legend who never earnt more than 100k a week, even when offered silly money elsewhere.
Until he buggered off the Barca for a bit lol

TBf to Theo its not just him, its the dun thing with players these days run to the media as soon as they are not happy or tweet shite about it.

If Theo is not happy then he should do what he feels is right, and if that is leaving the so be it. If he wants to stay then sign a new deal and stfu.