Wenger has played Gervinho through the middle, if Walcott signs this contract, then I am sure he will get his chance as well. but the longer he does not sign, then the longer he will stay on the bench.
I think that's about the measure of it. Wenger spoke about how Walcott's contract situation could affect his place in the team the longer it went on, although at the time he was saying he wasn't on the bench because he hadn't signed. At the moment, Waclott needs to earn his place in the team and even the right of midfield is not his own anymore. It could get interesting if Giroud struggles to find the net.
A decent performance would show that he can compete with league 1 defences, if he fails it would be a real kick in the b0llocks....
I think it could be a perfect game for him to stake a claim for CF. He's probably the better finisher out of Gervinho and Giroud at the moment, although I think they both offer a lot, even without scoring. For me I think Walcott would still be best on the right, with Podolski in the middle.
He's playing wide, but doesn't he realise the fluidity of the Arsenal front 3? When Giroud isn't playing there's plenty of opportunity for interchange between them all. Giroud obviously provides more of a focal point. A front 3 of Pod, Gerv & Theo could work wonders. The issue here is that you could play Theo up front against Coventry, but right now it's more important that Giroud breaks his duck, so I'd rather see the big man up front.
You're probably right, my comment came with a facetious angle. I just hate player power and detest what it's done to the game - does the player really think he is a better judge than a manager of AWs intelligence ? We've all seen Theo bang in some great goals but we've also seen him come closer to hitting the corner flag than the net, he's a player who is almost entirely reliant on his pace which makes him a very good wide option and with Pod (and we hope Giroud) posing a physical threat it is a solid team plan. Assuming it's the team that he is most focussed on....
I've been saying give him an opportunity as a false no 9. Many may say he lacks the tactical awareness and technical skill to play in that position as his hold up play is still questionable... but I still have faith in him. While Giroud is here, it may be difficult for him to play as a CF.
We can do the switcheroo, when both Podolski and Gervinho have started games, they've switched at times from CF, to winger, so Walcott can do the same now, if we start with the 3 of Pod Gerv and Walcott, which is likely to happen on many occasions, then they can switch with each other from CF to winger, that also complicates things a lot for the defenders as they're always having to make adjustments.
Even though I have said before that RVP leaving hurt us... I am now slowly seeing how it has benefited us too. Defenders are now confused about who will be our target man because we don't have one. Last season, teams only had to mark out RVP to nullify any goal threat. (our loss to Wigan last season showed this.) But now, with three players interchanging, the opposition struggle to contain our attacks because they end up being pulled out of position so much. I actually prefer this as this not only alleviates goal scoring duties but it also gives us a much more free flowing attack. Only problem is, I don't know where this leaves Giroud. Will he be our plan B?
I still have a sneaking suspicion that whatever he says, at the moment he is more concerned with the fluidity of his bank account. His declared stance raises a lot of questions. What does he think is his alternative? To put an advert on a transfer market "An English national seeking a central defender position. Trained as one but never played there. Any offers in 75K -120K will be considered. No time wasters with winger offers please"?
Giroud can be plan B, there are times were we do struggle, and sometimes need a big man up front who can change things and cause more problems to defenders, so he can be that man, when we need an extra striker. But at the same time, Giroud can start games as well, we will basically have 2 ways of playing, we have play A, which is starting with no official forward man, and each player inter-changing with each other (Pod, Walcott, Gerv), and we can have other games were Giroud can start as our main target, at the end of the day, it's a long season, we can't always play Pod Walcott and Gerv up front, sometimes you will have to rest them, then we will have injuries etc so Giroud is still going to come in handy. You decide things based on the opponent, sometimes it's better to have the 3 of Pod Walcott Gerv (or even OXO) and sometimes its better to start with a big target man up front. Oh, and Gervino is off in the New Year because of the African Cup of Nations, so Giroud will come in very handy during that period, OXO will be able to fill in a spot on the wings, but Giroud will still be a very important player to have in the squad in terms of attack, when we lose Gervino.
The only thing missing from Giroud's game at the moment is a goal. He's doing everything else right and helping to create space and chances for our other attacking players. I think Podolski would be a better in the middle though, with Cazorla, Walcott, Gervinho and Oxo rotating either side of him.
To be fair, I think he always has. He's a striker who has been playing out on the wing. I think he deserves a chance at CF, I'd play him there in League cup and FA cup games and let him push for a starting place at CF in the league. People might say that we've got Giroud, Podolski and Gervinho who can play through the middle, but competition for places is always a good thing. Video of Walcott's comments about his contract and wanting to play up front here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19705607
We're playing tomorrow mate But I'd start him up front against Coventry. I know Giroud needs a goal, but I think it will come for him in the league soon. I'd play Walcott as as CF in the League and FA cup games
why do i think it's tonight!? i've thought it was tonight for ages. that makes a big difference to the team then - the players from Sunday who haven't played too much should be fine to play.
