What is stalling Theo??

[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.


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

[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.