I don't rate Theo as a first team starter, most of his good work happens when he comes off the bench. I also think that, if it wasn't for RVP scoring when he sneezed last season, Walcott's figures would be a lot different! IMO, £10m+ and £100k+ per week wages is a lot for an impact sub that isn't anywhere near consistent enough. I think there are equally good youngsters out there that will get better (certainly more consistent and productive anyway) that would be willing to come on much lower wages and cost a fraction of the price....just don't ask me to name them!
At 23 he's still growing into himself and could be finding his feet. I'm circumspect but I'd have a good look. Most fans were slagging off Lucas at 23 far worse than Walcott.
this is a very difficult question. Unlike kalou who i think is a bottler even though he's on a free you have got to look at walcott and think about it. I would say though there is no snap your hand off type of reaction from me here. Again the wages will be gerrard high, the guy has those constant injuries and frankly he does need the ball handed to him on a plate before he gets involved in anything. If i were not seeing him as available i'd be saying he's not a footballer at all and should be in the olympics as a sprinter.... he's that inconsistent and doesn't show the footballing brain we need.... however affalay is the same, tello too so it all comes back to wages. If arsenal are not going to pay them then they must be ridiculously high simply as they pay very high wages down there. answer = no thinks I guess having thought about it.
mmm not sure this is valid here, anyone with half an eye for talent could see Lucas was improving consistently. Walcott? Meh. I dunno how much better he is going to get... maybe Arsenal fans could enlighten us? For me he's always looked a bit lightweight with little end product. So a resounding 'Meh' from me!
I'm on the fence here. As every one has said, he has had injury issues, has had inconsistencies and there are questions over his end product. But on his day Walcott can be a great player and he does posses skills we lack. His pace is a very attractive atribute. I feel we lack quite a bit of pace in attack. Especially down the right. I feel Walcott could be incredibly useful against those teams lower in the league who we struggled to beat last season, and those teams that 'park the bus'. His pace, energy and drive could also be great coming off the bench in those tight games at the top. Especially if we go behind. I feel Walcott could have been incredibly useful last season in those game where we dominated possession, created chance after chance but failed to score. He could have made a noticeable different. I also feel Walcott could be good for merchandise.
Mweh, treat him like a gamble: I'd rather have him than Cole for example.. His ego should have got a nice stamping by the fact the top 4 side that developed him thinks he's not good enough. Enter us offering wages that reflect the fact he has to prove it. If wants to, he'll accept. If Arsenal are right he won't & we save ourselves some money.
i think we all are saying the same thing.... I think the boy hangs round waiting for someone to pass it to him but is awesome in a fast break situation.... if the ball comes to him. he's flavour of the week this week due to the sweden game but god sweden are terrible. walcott, kalou.... johnson. the theme is the same one, players who have not made it at top 4 clubs. Hazard has gone to chelsea so who is the next hazard... go buy him... promote sterling more. for me a guy who's proven he's not making it or worse wants twice the wages he's worth and is told by his club to go chuff it is not what we want. Lets be clear, arsenal have invested 10mil in him, then his wages and all the time he's been injured and they are saying no we don't want to pay you that and would rather spend another 10mil on someone else and pay them instead.... that should give a message out shouldn't it?
That is a big point too. On the pitch for all his pace does he fit BR's model? He'll want players that work constantly to make themselves available for the pass. I don't think as you've all suggested that Walcott does this.
Whatever you call Rodgers preferred style of play, Theo is not the greatest exponent when it comes to ball retention. There's too many arguments given above to be tempted to even consider putting in an offer. However it may keep the journos happy for a few days.
I'm the opposite, i think he struggles against those teams because they sit deep and defend in numbers meaning there is no space for Theo the exploit. IMO, he performs better in the bigger games that are more open. God forbid, don't give him time on the ball to think what to do though
I think this is closest to my opinion, but I too share the same misgivings as most here. Not knowing any details of his contract negotiations, I don't know if he wants mega-money, or if Arsenal just don't rate him.
He's better than what we have - but that's more a sign of how poor our wide players are than Theo's quality.
