It's literally 99.99999% never happening. Sterling will sign a new deal on his 18th birthday or in that week. The S*n typically printed a completely bullshit story. You'd also be mad to let go of Theo right now.
I had expected people would throw stats from that comedy CO Cup game around, but this is ridiculous. Gervinho is useful no matter the opposition, he is versatile. Walcott becomes an absolute waste against closed teams, this is not just on the back of one or two games. He has always been completely anonymous against teams that close shop. Gervinho is a no-brainer in those situations, and for me Arshavin would come ahead as well (if not for fitness concerns) as he can unlock defenses. Walcott bar the occasional cross doesn't offer anything against these teams. But this really is expected, I've seen it for 6 years. He is next to useless against most teams, gets an odd hat-trick in a very unusual game, and then everyone is on the hype bandwagon again. Situational player. Always has been. Play him against the likes of Spurs, Liverpool, Swansea, and use him as an impact sub against almost anyone else. If history is anything to go by, "pacey" forwards like him aren't late developers. Once their stamina starts to take a hit, their very one-dimensional game gets hit as well. He's no multi-talented Henry to compensate with his footballing brain for the lost pace. And he isn't as good with his feet or able to beat opponents from a stop like Overmars to continue being of use as his pace diminishes. What does that leave you with as he ages? Using him as a CF? Why would anyone waste a player spot for someone like him when you can have the utility of a powerful CF like Giroud? Anyone seriously suggesting we use him as a CF for any non-trivial game must be absolutely out of their mind. Can Walcott head down balls to the team with 3 players on his back? Can he shield the ball like Giroud and create space for others? You are using examples of games he has always been good at to somehow point that he's a different player now. He isn't. He may become more efficient in what he's already good at, but even last season where he had plenty starts to prove otherwise, he was completely anonymous against dense defenses.
The Arsenal forward line needs pace to be effective. That's why Ramsey, Giroud, Pod is such an awful front 3. Gervinho looked invigorated at the start of the year, but he's no CF. I'd far rather Theo, who has added to his game year on year & looks a great prospect still for another 5 or more.
I'm still not sold on Walcott because of his lack of consistency shown in recent seasons. If his current form continues for a meaningful period of time I may change my mind but we have had many false dawns with Theo, we shouldn't lose sight of that.
Agree with PISKIE sterling would definitely soften the blow....but I also agree it seems to be pure nonsense!
Why do you assume that only those teams will attack us? This Arsenal team is no longer feared by anyone. Our defence is there to be got at and I reckon we will actually see less and less teams defend as deep and in large numbers as teams used to do against us. This opens up space for Walcott. This season, I can only think of Stoke and Sunderland as the two teams that defended so deep and settled for a point. Even then against those teams, you need someone that is clinical and Gervinho is anything but. Gervinho every time he has played on the right has looked utterly lost. I would only use him on the left, where he can cut in and do something. Walcott needs to start on the right week in week out. He has started to build an understanding with Giroud and without him we have looked so blunt in attack, it's unreal.
Have to say Walcott comes across as a very bright, sensible lad. Can't see him making too much of a fuss either way. He'll either stay or leave with good grace.
I disagree. It's no coincidence that our attacking has improved since Theo has been restored to the starting 11. He's inconsistent, but him on the pitch strikes fear into opposition defences, because they cannot make a single mistake or he'll burn them with his pace, and now he's learnt to cross, he'll put an inviting ball into the box for Giroud to attack.
I actually agree with a lot of the points that Gent makes about Theo. I would also say that yesterday shows once again why he will never be a central striker. When he was moved there, we were worse. He missed 2 1-on-1's and just stood waiting for a ball. However you look at his stats over the last 3 seasons and compare them to £50M World class Bale and it's then difficult to slate him. He does struggle against teams that put 10 men behind the ball, but then so do most players. He currently adds something to this Arsenal side and I would give him £100K per week, but not to play centrally.
When he was moved there he scored... He missed a few good chances, but he usually scores them. At least he got into those positions, and at least he scored one of them. You can't ask much more. My opinion is that the wing-striker role is perfect for him. Wenger is playing him exactly where he needs to play.
Seems the lad has shown he's worth giving a chance as a striker. He's probably the fastest player without the ball in the game, and one of the fastest with it. He's got good finish ability which he wasn't born with, he had to work on that. I think his wage demands are cheeky, but his demands of playing as a striker are justified. You've got a great player there.
With Giroud starting to show good form, I am more than happy for him to carry on as our CF. Unless we change our system, I fail to see how Walcott can play through the middle with any success.
