Match Reaction - man u v ARSENAL!!

[Marc Overmars]

Ox is great but I'd say he blows hot and cold just as much as Theo really. His passing and delivery can often be wayward but he's got years ahead of him to fine tune that and like Theo, injuries have curtailed his development and impact.

They're different players in truth, Theo is probably more one dimensional but that doesn't mean what he can provide isn't effective and shouldn't be utilised more often. I just think it's a shame that now we actually have a bit of squad depth we don't seem to be making the best use of it. Some are even comfortable with the idea of letting Theo go which I don't understand personally.

[Power n Glory]

Thay is key. He is on the peripheral during the game and although he does get goals, his game is all about making runs and beating the offside trap.

When the alternative (ox) offers you so much more, its no wonder wenger doesnt use theo no more.

Wenger's the one who's been encouraging Theo to change his style of play. In some interviews, I've heard Theo say he's studying Ljungberg videos and remember constantly talking up his off the ball movement and even saying he's better at it than Messi. Some examples below.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...head-of-messsi
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...alcott-5118032
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...ilverware.html

When Theo was younger he'd hug the byline, play from deep and keep having a go at our opponents wingbacks no matter how many times he'd get clattered. Since Theo wants top be a striker and not a winger, I'm guessing playing on the shoulder of defenders wide is some sort of compromise. His goal tally has shot up since. 21 goals in 2012/13 is something else. How can you not want that sort of fire power in the line up? Ox can be a handful when playing well but I can't say he offers much more.

No idea why Wenger hasn't implemented a two striker system yet because it's not as if we're getting the very best out of our 3 man midfield. But either way, I think Theo would be smart to move on because he's been ushered down this wide forward path when he should have been developed as a striker. It's like Wenger has built him up for for this special custom made role but now has no use for him.

[AFC Leveller]

Wenger's the one who's been encouraging Theo to change his style of play. In some interviews, I've heard Theo say he's studying Ljungberg videos and remember constantly talking up his off the ball movement and even saying he's better at it than Messi. Some examples below.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...head-of-messsi
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...alcott-5118032
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...ilverware.html

When Theo was younger he'd hug the byline, play from deep and keep having a go at our opponents wingbacks no matter how many times he'd get clattered. Since Theo wants top be a striker and not a winger, I'm guessing playing on the shoulder of defenders wide is some sort of compromise. His goal tally has shot up since. 21 goals in 2012/13 is something else. How can you not want that sort of fire power in the line up? Ox can be a handful when playing well but I can't say he offers much more.

No idea why Wenger hasn't implemented a two striker system yet because it's not as if we're getting the very best out of our 3 man midfield. But either way, I think Theo would be smart to move on because he's been ushered down this wide forward path when he should have been developed as a striker. It's like Wenger has built him up for for this special custom made role but now has no use for him.

The Ox offers much more than Theo and is a real modern winger. He runs WITH the ball and has a burst of pace that can get him away from any defender. He tracks back too and his crosses and final ball in general have improved this year. Theo on the other hand gets goals and that because he makes about 10 to 15 runs a game and his timing his really good. apart from that though, he doesnt run with the ball at all this days and as soon as he gets it, he gives it to the right back or CM nearest to him and off his goes looking for the ball in behind. You are right that 2 or 3 years agp he was more of a winger who could get you goals but his game has changed since we changed our formation to 3 attackers.

I can see Theo leaving and thriving for a team like Liverpool. if it were up to me id keep him though and make space for him because his numbers are impressive but as a starter of ahead of the Ox, no.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

How the times have changed!

Just fuhking made me angry all over again!!! fuhk me!

[mastermind84]

No idea why Wenger hasn't implemented a two striker system yet because it's not as if we're getting the very best out of our 3 man midfield. But either way, I think Theo would be smart to move on because he's been ushered down this wide forward path when he should have been developed as a striker. It's like Wenger has built him up for for this special custom made role but now has no use for him.

When I read a statement like this, I often wonder what matches you are watching.

the midfield is the reason the team has dramatically improved in 2015. That on top of playing off the ball.

Theo isn't strong enough or technically good enough to play CF, and we should not be going back to a 2 man midfield.

Theo's best hope at high level football consistently is at Arsenal.

[Power n Glory]

When I read a statement like this, I often wonder what matches you are watching.

the midfield is the reason the team has dramatically improved in 2015. That on top of playing off the ball.

Theo isn't strong enough or technically good enough to play CF, and we should not be going back to a 2 man midfield.

Theo's best hope at high level football consistently is at Arsenal.

Hell, I've often read your posts and find your username hilarious. You should think about changing it.

[mastermind84]

Hell, I've often read your posts and find your username hilarious. You should think about changing it.

Cool, still doesn't chance how brutally wrong your post was.

[Power n Glory]

Cool, still doesn't chance how brutally wrong your post was.

How is it wrong? It's down to perspective. The midfield hasn't dramatically improved because of the 3 man system. It's improved because we've introduced Coquelin and Cazorla. If it weren't for injuries, we'd still be playing Arteta/Flamini, Ramsey and Wilshere as the trio and still losing. It's not the system that works, it's the change in personnel. Coquelin and Cazorla have been sensational. Ozil and Ramsey have been functional in the 3 man system but not close to being at there best or essential to making us tick. I think we should be trying to adjust to get more out of key players.

Example, shoving Welbeck, Ozil and Theo out on the wing makes no sense to me. We lose a good chunk of what each player can offer by shoving them out wide. At least if we’d adapt a two man up front system, we could get a Giroud/Theo/Welbeck partnership going. Giroud’s good at the physical link up play, Theo’s good at making runs behind and finishing. Welbeck also has a desire to play up front and we should be trying develop that. Heck, it may even be worth trying to get Ozil to play behind the striker instead of playing him wide because we usually have better players on the bench for that. No need to be so rigid.

As for Theo as striker, you don’t know until he gets a run of games there. Be dismissive if you want, but I’ve seen people be just as dismissive about Coquelin’s ability as a DM at the start of the season only to be proven wrong. If it weren’t for injuries, the kid wold have never been given a shot.

[mastermind84]

How is it wrong? It's down to perspective. The midfield hasn't dramatically improved because of the 3 man system. It's improved because we've introduced Coquelin and Cazorla. If it weren't for injuries, we'd still be playing Arteta/Flamini, Ramsey and Wilshere as the trio and still losing. It's not the system that works, it's the change in personnel. Coquelin and Cazorla have been sensational. Ozil and Ramsey have been functional in the 3 man system but not close to being at there best or essential to making us tick. I think we should be trying to adjust to get more out of key players.

and the system gets the best out of the personnel.

Imagine Cazorla in a 2-man midfield for a second. Imagine how ran over we would be?

Example, shoving Welbeck, Ozil and Theo out on the wing makes no sense to me. We lose a good chunk of what each player can offer by shoving them out wide. At least if we’d adapt a two man up front system, we could get a Giroud/Theo/Welbeck partnership going. Giroud’s good at the physical link up play, Theo’s good at making runs behind and finishing. Welbeck also has a desire to play up front and we should be trying develop that. Heck, it may even be worth trying to get Ozil to play behind the striker instead of playing him wide because we usually have better players on the bench for that. No need to be so rigid.

Welbeck cant finish, Theo is weak and not good in tight spaces, and Ozil isnt a goal threat.

Id favor it if we had a physically stronger midfield, but we dont.

We would also be going against teams with 3 man midfields against our two.

As for Theo as striker, you don’t know until he gets a run of games there. Be dismissive if you want, but I’ve seen people be just as dismissive about Coquelin’s ability as a DM at the start of the season only to be proven wrong. If it weren’t for injuries, the kid wold have never been given a shot.

Coquelin had to make his game simple to make a name for himself.

Theo is just not good enough in tight spaces.

If we had a guy like Pogba to pair with Ramsey, id be all for it, but we do not.

[Power n Glory]

Coquelin just needed a run of games. He was good before going out on loan to German from what I recall but never never given a chance because Wenger preferred Arteta. If Arteta and Flamini weren't injured, nobody would of heard of him.

As for Cazorla in a two man midfield, bad example. Did you not see him against the two Manchester teams? He can battle.

Also, I'm not talking about a flat 4-4-2 or even suggesting we play that every game. Experiment with a diamond, mess around with a 4-5-1 so we have a player in the hole that can link up with the striker.

Theo not good enough in tight spaces....that Newcastle goal? He's not the best technically but he's a player that operates best in and around the box. That's where you see the best of him, not from outside in the midfield. Welbeck is probably the same. It's a waste putting them on the wing. That's why I say it's best they move on if that's our plan for them.

Also, our midfield isn't even strong now. Ozil hardly tackles and we've had games where it's been Cazorla and Coquelin doing a good chunk of the work in the middle. I don't understand the rigid attitude some of you have as if we're getting the very best out of this squad. You haven't even seen all the options but make wide assumptions as if you have. Just like some did with Coquelin.