Yeah i do think it is Wengers plan to have Walcott play a central role at some point - just waiting for him to do it now
He'll get owned by Vidic / Ferdinand if he's in a 1-on-1 tussle with them. If he plays on the shoulder of the last man and it running through to balls played behind the defense it'll do 2 things: 1) Draw fouls from defenders who don't have the pace to keep up with him - Ferdinand is no spring chicken now - giving dangerous positions to orchestrate from 2) Force the defense to sit further back in order to contain him, providing plenty of space in the "hole" for RvP and the AM to operate
Walcott was put on the wings to improve his technique and his abilty to beat the last defender. It seems to have worked from what i have seen so far this season. The cliche of Walcott having no football brain is pathetic.
Point 1 is spot on Man U already sit deep and let us play in front of them so Point 2 is probably not going to be of benefit. Walcott doesn't need to be big and powerful against defenders to be an effective striker, look at Eduardo for example. The key is Walcott won't be effective in that role against all teams so we should play him there as and when necessary.
Walcott is terrible. Look, I dont like saying that, because as an arsenal player I want him to do well. But in my opinion he really isnt good enough. He isnt a bad player, and would be fine at everton or a smaller club. But he isnt good enough for the arsenal. He cant pass at all, and often he just does nothing at all. He has also started moaning ALOT on the pitch like he is some superstar. We need better than Walcrap if we are going to win anything ever. And even for top 4 I dont think walcrap is good enough. As I said, lets sell him to everton or someone.
Lets not forget that keeping possesion is basically what you need to do to win football matches. This isnt 1990 anymore. Walcrap gives the ball away SO OFTEN. He is worthless vs any top class sides. Best used as a sub where he can just run fast vs tired defenders when the game is strecthed.
Its obvious that Walcott's best position would be through the middle, however does anyone want Van P to be moved out of that position, that's the problem.
Ya look at the size of messi. Do you think that he wont get owned by rio/vidic etc if he plays down the middle? You do realise this is football and not sumo wrestling right?
He wasnt even good last night. 1 goal vs a very tired italian side with a wage bill smaller than most championship clubs and you are ready to claim he is quality. What about the other games this season where he basically just did nothing. What about the fact that the guy cant pass at all. He is a liability. He can run fast, and his finishing has improved. I conceed that.
thats correct, what about michael owen in his pomp, jermaine defoe (dare i say it ) etc... size hasnt really held them back too much. the finish yesterday was top drawer, yes he has his flaws like all young players do, but he can be an outstanding player on his day.
Considering the season has just started i think its a bit unfair to say "what about the other games this season" - it makes it out like he has been consistently poor - and sicne he has got us through thsi tie i don't think he has been. As for the nonsense that is "He is worthless vs any top class sides." he has scored against soem of the bets teams in the world. He basically single handedly got us back into the Barca tie season before last and there were quotes last year from Messi and Pep singing his praises. He forces teams to play deep or they end up dealing with his blistering pace. His finishing was what he was known for as a kid and now that seems to be comming together with his running. If you watch Theo off the ball as well he makes some fantastic runs that don't get picked out.
Fair points, maybe I am too critical of him. He isnt the sort of player I like to watch I guess. I am more of a fan of pires, bergkamp, zidane type players.
Firstly. People in this country need to understand modern formations a little better. Theo does'nt play on the 'Wing'. WE DONT HAVE WINGERS IN OUR SYSTEM. We play either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1. Our wide players are forwards just like Barcelona. They're job is to receive the ball, interchange positions, cut in and run at a goal. not to fire in crosses like its 1991.
Yeah it has to be said i watch football for the flair players. I enjoy seeing little flicks, tricks and skills. But i'm glad we have a couple of players like Theo who are no thrills but give us a different dynamic.
@TheBear One issue i have with our system is we play wing forwards who are expected to track back as if they are normal wingers, wheras often they are positioned further up the field - think this is why Arshavin struggles sometimes - he doesn't have the fitness to run the line constantly, but isn't given the freedom to sit forwards and play to his strengths.
Thanks Mr Bear I needed to know this, having quite happily admitted before that I'm not very knowledgeable on positioning. So presumably Walcott is fine where he is then...
Yup exactly. Sagna is fine on the right but we need a player on the left who can cope with the workload. The fullbacks have to cover more ground than any other position in a 4-3-3. Just look at Dani Alvez at Barcelona. (cheating little bastard but runs his socks off) Also when the Full back get forward the holding player HAS to sit back to add extra security. We dont do that soo well.
Yeah we have struggled with the workrate required on the left last season. Hopefuly this is improved upon this season. Walcott puts alot of effort into tracking back which i really rate him for as well. Our holding player thinks he is an attacking player lol - its a curse at Arsenal that all players regardless of position start to think they should be scoring goals
