... but well played Theo. It was his best game for a while. I've been very critical of his performances this season. Like th eproverbial curate's egg, he's been good in (small) parts but woeful. Tonight though he was different class. Let's hope he continues to improve, and roll on next season. Ramsey and Gervinho still worry me though.
Well done theo. Still would rather he wasnt a regular though. Gervinho will come good imo and ramsey...hmm...not sure. Not impressed though.
I thought he had a good game today - though not great. THE outstanding player on the pitch - head and shoulders above even RVP - was Tomas Rosicky.
Rosicky was the real MOtM, no doubt about it. Walcott played very well, but he is becoming a one trick pony.
Would go as far as saying that Rosicky over the past month has been the best midfielder in the league.
Rosicky was always quality but needed game time to get over his injury. Looking at him, I kind of wish we'd given Eduardo more time as well.
God I hope wenger plays him vs everton now. I think he will. When things start going well wenger never really rotates. he must see how awesome tomas has been recently and he wont drop him. He even put djjorrou in the team every week when he was our kety player for a bit last year (remember that - I do!)
Do not think Walcott has had a game where his crossing has been as consistently as good as it was tonight. Tore Santon apart in the first game.
Been good recently. And yes I dont rate him as many will know. But happy to be proven wrong. Just hope this good run of form isnt just to get a new contract. He is very streaky in his form. If we are relying on him for 1 of our wingers we need good back up (which we have now) so that he can be removed from the side when he is on one of his runs where its like playing with 10 men every game. Edit: I dont think we can win the title with players like him as a first teamer. Better as a super sub or a rotation player imo. He can do a job in our squad starting 15 games a year and coming on 15 games
Walcott has been on a good run of form and the way he links up with Sagna and RVP is very good. He is a great player to have and our options out wide look promising - Gervinho, Oxocube, Walcott and next season Ryo. With Podolski and RVP thrown in. Our whole team look good at the moment, and this proves when we have most of the squad fit we are a really good team, we just need a little more quality in depth to cope with injuries and a bit of a clear-out. Walcott though should get a new contract - he can change games and RVP enjoys playing with him. I still think we will see the best of him when he gets opportunities to play more centrally ahead of RVP.
Sagna doesn't seem to be getting the recognition he deserves. More important to the team than young Oxo who I still think people are getting a bit over excited about. Clearly a very promising future, but this is the present and he ain't there yet Also, I would take Theo over Gerv every time.
I think this shows that you need different types of players on the team. Walcott needs to have a fully functioning midfield in order to play his best. Trying to decide who was better between Walcott and Rosicky is a futile exercise. The team needs both of them, and each one affects the other ones performance. You might argue that the better Walcott plays the better Rosicky looks and vice versa.
Walcott had an excellent game. I've noticed his first touch has improved recently. When he's confident he really is an excellent player. The criticism he recives is soo unfair especially when you compare him to the other wing/ forwards in the premierleague.
Walcott had a good game but Tomas was truly outstanding, not just his technique, passing and vision but his fight and determination - more please!
Theo linked with Sagna & Rosicky very very well. They seem to have developed a great understanding between them. A moment of great head tennis that left Newcastle very confused was the highlight. Theo put in a couple of turns and tricks and ran the ball through etc. as well, and some great crosses. A shame Oxo was a little out of the game. A good result, vital result, even if it was left very very late!! If they'd lost, they would have been 3 points from 4th, as it is, they're just 1 point from 3rd
Still missed a sitter . I think he's been superb recently, I truly do, but had Theo of missed that some fans would be calling for his head again. Both were excellent last night, the two best performances on the pitch.
Walcott was never a bad player, just inconsistent. He had a blinding game yesterday and that classic striker move where he dummied the left back was his best move of the game. Sometimes he doesn't think about his crossing, it's like an afterthought. But yesterday, he really looked for the players and performed really well. Rosicky for me was the best player on the pitch, i hope he stays in the advanced central midifeld spot. Ramsey coming on performed well too, i think benching him is doing him the world of good. Is it me or was Song's passing dreadful most of the game? Then out the blue he runs on the wing and delivers a perfect ball. Now that is inconsistent!
Yes that was pants from Rosicky and he knew it. Had he tucked that away, it would have capped a perfect game. What is good to see is he's looking very good. Signing a new 2 year contract with us is looking very good for us....
Rosicky is learning to shoot again slowly but surely. His Tottenham and Milan goals would not have been scored by him 3 months ago. I love Rosicky, he's such a likeable guy.