Winter Transfer Speculation and Shit.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Letters

you easily manipulatable buffoon.

[GP]

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Well that was unexpected.

Actually, it's Japanese. Makes sense.

[fakeyank]

Cut him some slack. Ask any player at any level which club they'd love to play for and they'd mention Real or Barca as a dream move.

Saw this in the comments section and he's right. Don't fall for the BS!

Really dont see how the media turned it into something other than what was asked..

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...r-sets-2804261

[Power n Glory]

Really? Exactly what was he asked? I'm seeing three different takes on that question. Also, take into consideration he's talking to the Danish press.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...na-future.html

Even more bizarrely, however, was his next answer to the question, 'how do you envisage to continue your career?'
'Real Madrid or Barcelona,' said the self-proclaimed 'greatest striker in the world'.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...r-sets-2804261

When asked at which clubs he reckoned he could next turn to, Bendtner, who has 24 goals in 57 international matches, said: "Real Madrid or Barcelona."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...er-window.html

Asked where his next move would be, he replied: "If I could decide: Real Madrid or Barcelona."

The quotes from Bendy aren't even consistent. Some have left out that 'If I could decide' part so until you see the full interview, I'd take it with a pinch of salt. That could have been said in jest. Also, the reports are designed to keep Arsenal fans on his back each game which is counter productive for our season.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think Theo’s gotten a raw deal playing on the right side because he’s not a natural winger. He’s just adapted to the situation and has managed to carve out a unique position for himself here at Arsenal. I can’t imagine any other club playing him this way. He’s not considered as a winger or a striker so if he were to lose his place at the club, he may find it hard to find another club that can find a use for him. I have no idea why we’re not playing him on the left as an inverted winger so he’s cutting in on his preferred foot or why he’s not being developed as a striker. Theo isn’t the best technical player we have in our squad, but playing down that side exposes him even more.

It’s why I slightly disagree with your point about Wenger being a genius and honing his skills. If it wasn’t for Theo’s persistence, work ethic and ability to bat off the criticism, most other players would have crumbled a long time ago or kicked up a stink to play in their preferred position. I’m thinking of Ramsey, Bendy and Eboue as recent examples. Or when Flamini had to kick up a stink to play as a DM instead of left back and Song wanting to play as DM instead of a CB. Theo has done really well with what he’s been given but it my opinion we’re only seeing a fraction of what he could potentially be for this club. The plan for Theo was to turn him into a Henry type striker. The right wing was only supposed to be a part of his development and I think Theo has learned everything he can from that position.

That is one way of looking at it. Another is to think Theo fortunate for the fact that the 433 is now commonplace in the modern game and Wenger's preferred formation of choice. Otherwise, Theo might not be at a club of this stature at all.

I think your position presumes that the 'wide attack' roles in the 433 are exactly the same as the 'winger' roles in the 442, which I think is a flawed premise. The 433 is such that the wide players actually switch between performing traditional winger roles and becoming the 2nd/3rd forward. That to me is it's purpose. The fact we have players who do not formally switch between the two mean our play is hard to keep track of a lot of the time or predict for the opponents.

I also find the inverted winger idea fatally flawed too. Playing Theo on the left which I should add is something Wenger has been more than willing to try with plenty of others is probably only ostensibly suited to him. It would place pressure on his close dribbling ability, with the ball on his right foot exposed. He would essentially be starting from a position of showing the defender the ball. That is unless we assume all he would do is, receive the ball, take a touch and finish, but that would pigeon hole him into a very very predictable and easily marked player indeed and he would become even more limited than many already suggest he is.

For a player to play on the 'wrong' side, he needs to be extremely clever and probably have a level of dexterity that Theo doesn't. I accept that they can't all be as astute as Pires but it does require such a level of dynamism that it is not simple.

I didn't say Wenger was a genius in honing Theo's skills. I said part of the genius of Wenger is in the honing of his players skills rather than overly contriving ways they can use it. That is exactly how he has done what he has with the likes of Henry, Pires, Ljunberg and plenty more.

The game has changed since Theo was first signed and Wenger has acknowledged as much. I suspect Theo's lack of moaning is down to a mixture of professionalism but also the same realisation that the 442 is seldom adopted and the game having changed.

I like the idea of Theo through the middle, but he isn't quite best suited to playing the central role in a 433 which we all realise, so where else can he play apart from where he currently is.....unless you change the entire formation because of him and I don't think he is important enough to the team to do that.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The next question to Bendtner should have been..... 'Do you think they would take you?'

[JonasTC]

I dont think it matters what question he was asked, the guy just needs to shut up and/or, be humble. Even if he said it as a joke, people will still be facepalming all over the world, because the guy has been saying for years that he's the best in the world. He could've answered that if he could decide, he would be playing for a club that lets him play full time, but instead he chooses to say Barca or Real, which is still fucking stupid to say as long as you're still under contract with a team top team like Arsenal. Answering Barca/Real is fine, if you're still a teenager that plays for a low level club or born and raised in one of those cities.

So i cant really see, in any way, how Bendtner comes out on top in this one, even if the media has twisted it.

[Syn]

PnG wins this discussion. Many things to be annoyed with Bendtner about but this ain't one. Seemed to be a tongue in cheek answer to a silly question. He could hardly say the truth could he - which is that he'll play for any club that'll take him. He was willing to play for Palace and was annoyed we pulled the plug on that deal.

[Power n Glory]

That is one way of looking at it. Another is to think Theo fortunate for the fact that the 433 is now commonplace in the modern game and Wenger's preferred formation of choice. Otherwise, Theo might not be at a club of this stature at all.

I think your position presumes that the 'wide attack' roles in the 433 are exactly the same as the 'winger' roles in the 442, which I think is a flawed premise. The 433 is such that the wide players actually switch between performing traditional winger roles and becoming the 2nd/3rd forward. That to me is it's purpose. The fact we have players who do not formally switch between the two mean our play is hard to keep track of a lot of the time or predict for the opponents.

I also find the inverted winger idea fatally flawed too. Playing Theo on the left which I should add is something Wenger has been more than willing to try with plenty of others is probably only ostensibly suited to him. It would place pressure on his close dribbling ability, with the ball on his right foot exposed. He would essentially be starting from a position of showing the defender the ball. That is unless we assume all he would do is, receive the ball, take a touch and finish, but that would pigeon hole him into a very very predictable and easily marked player indeed and he would become even more limited than many already suggest he is.

For a player to play on the 'wrong' side, he needs to be extremely clever and probably have a level of dexterity that Theo doesn't. I accept that they can't all be as astute as Pires but it does require such a level of dynamism that it is not simple.

I didn't say Wenger was a genius in honing Theo's skills. I said part of the genius of Wenger is in the honing of his players skills rather than overly contriving ways they can use it. That is exactly how he has done what he has with the likes of Henry, Pires, Ljunberg and plenty more.

The game has changed since Theo was first signed and Wenger has acknowledged as much. I suspect Theo's lack of moaning is down to a mixture of professionalism but also the same realisation that the 442 is seldom adopted and the game having changed.

I like the idea of Theo through the middle, but he isn't quite best suited to playing the central role in a 433 which we all realise, so where else can he play apart from where he currently is.....unless you change the entire formation because of him and I don't think he is important enough to the team to do that.

Oh no, I'm not thinking of a traditional 4-4-2 winger at all. Most teams that play a 4-3-3 or a variation use inverted wingers. With Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Di Maria play that way. Munich, Ribery is on the left, Robben on the right. Chelsea play that way, Barca use inverted wingers....if you're going to be playing on the shoulder of defenders, wouldn't it make more sense to receive the ball on your stronger foot when going for goal?

Speaking of showing too much of the ball and getting exposed, when Wilshire played on the left and kept coming in field, he was showing way to much of the ball and kept getting clattered. When he switch flank, he coped much better. I can see the same for Theo and I'm thinking about that Newcastle goal where he just looked so much more confident taking on players. At the moment, I think it's easier for defenders to keep him out because all they have to do is usher him over to the byline.

Also, I thinking of that Townsend kid. Of all people, Harry said he decided to play him on the wrong side because he could see how he was struggling on the left but he hit form as soon as he was on the 'wrong' side and cutting in on his stronger foot. Again, if we're trying to use Theo as a winger/striker, then play him on the opposite side because on the right he's more prone to operate like a 4-4-2 winger. As soon as he gets in to the box and the angle becomes to acute for him, the only option he has left is to cross.