Daily Bits and Bobs

Does Theo Walcott deserve a new contract?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Theo Walcott – perhaps the most annoying and frustrating player at Arsenal right now. Well, apart from Abou Diaby who at least we know will be gone in the summer..

There are days, admittedly few, when he can destroy a side but sadly, there are many more when he just jogs around the pitch like a pretty boy from ‘TOWIE’…..

Ok, he’s English and the manager wants English players in his team, he’s said that but there comes a time when Arsene Wenger needs to perhaps accept that not all Englishman fight tooth and nail for their country, let alone their club.

Yes, he’s not long back after an injury and had he played regularly to a high standard prior to his year out, I’d be far more forgiving but he didn’t. If he really wants to stay, surely he’s seriously got to raise his game because the team can’t afford to carry passengers. It’s all very well striking a cracker of a goal against Aston Villa at home, he’s got to start doing that against the so called better sides.

No doubt he’ll return to the starting line tomorrow night as Leicester arrive at The Emirates… Alexis Sanchez returns to the squad, although it must be tempting for Arsene Wenger to give him another rest. After all, if we can’t beat Leicester without him then we really are in trouble.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains out for a further two weeks at least but Jack Wilshere, another player who frustrates fans, is back in training. Arsene Wenger has said he has to monitor his recovery daily and he has no idea when he’ll return.

Anyway, back to Theo Walcott whose contract expires in the summer of 2016, has he done enough to warrant a new contract?

Now watch him get a hat-trick tomorrow night…..

Have a good Monday all…

rico

180 thoughts on “Does Theo Walcott deserve a new contract?”

  1. scottfromoz says:

    After his absolute lack of effort in the lead up to the Spuds second goal, Theo deserves a kick up the arsenal!
    100 grand a week for that?
    Santi has shown what effort can do, so until Theo puts in I say no, he deserves nothing.
    Morning all.

  2. tsgh says:

    harsh Scott.. 😉

    Theo has always been Theo.. he is being ‘groomed’ for TV punditry… 😮

    Rico- another top post.. I will pass on answering that question though for now… 😉

  4. Joaquim Moreira says:

    yes,TW is now a frustating player. His speed is gone and that was his best gun.
    He notdefend, he is not strong,he is always away from the physic contact.
    His injury had very influence in his performance. I think Gnaby become to be more important for the team then him
    JW was the some player since 4 years ago.No evolution and always injury. How many games he play during the season?

  7. rico says:

    Thanks Ts.

    I can see him being tied down to a new contract – as Adam says, perhaps a new manager would get a lot more out of him. And a few others.

    But that new manager seems a long way away…

  10. rico says:

    Jm, I’m not convinced he’s lost any pace, he seems just too lazy to use it much during 90 mins.

    When he’s up for a game, he can be great but watching him jog around so often is frustrating…

  11. scottfromoz says:

    In fairness, Sanchez has a massive work rate, and if I, or anyone else, attempted to credit Wenger for that, I’d be laughed off, so why should we blame Wenger for lazy players?
    Blame him for keeping them, no question, and certainly for upgrading their contracts.

  13. tsgh says:

    When SC19 was linked to Ath Madrid; my view was that Simeone would never want him as none of his players are luxury players…
    We fans have come to expect a brand of football; we can’t have it both ways in my opinion..

    Simeone in my view will eb very expensive for Arsenal as he would clear out the squad…

    On the otehr hand La Liga plays less games and have a ‘winter break’… can any manager demand the same level of commitment from his squad every single game?

    Klopp, tried it for 2 seasons and his players have burnt out;

    M. Laudrup tried it for 1 season with Swansea but he couldn’t sustain it the following season…

  14. frednerk says:

    Ts what book are you on about?

    Hamstring recoverier around 3 weeks not 3 days.
    Most of us can look back and say,
    they was this player I saw once,he had so much talent,
    he could easily make it………If he only could stay off the
    Beer,Birds and meat pies.

  18. Adam says:

    Scott. So much is in the head. Diego would have a clear out but there would be plenty of money to come back. He bought a ‘luxury’ player like Griezeman and turned him into a talented grafter who gets in there and scores important goals. Wenger wanted him too but what sort of player would he have been if he came to us? A wide man I think. He took Torres back who must be the laziest fucker ever on a football pitch and it is beginning to work. What I like is that he has a plan and sends his players out to do war on the pitch. You don’t put it in, see you later. That is exactly what so many of our players need. Less cerebral than Pep for sure though.

  22. frednerk says:

    I know its not a good example to youngsters,
    but at least Jack questions every wrong decision a Ref
    makes against our players.
    Watching the Villa/Chavs game Terry questioned everything,
    Refs want an easy life most are peaceful types,
    so having a go can work..Terry thinks so.

  23. scottfromoz says:

    Adam, I agree, and i know I’m repeating myself for the millionth time, but when we play with movement on and off the ball, we win.
    It’s very simple, but true.
    For whatever reason, it happens too infrequently, and I blame the players for lack of effect, but Arsene for tolerating it.
    Now, back to Diego 🙂

  25. scottfromoz says:

    I definitely blinked in that game, Rico lol
    Every now and again, Theo produces something amazing.
    100k a week should buy someone who does it more than 3-4 times a season though.

  30. Adam says:

    Rico. Pep for me with Diego as a crazy throw of the dice for a wild ride. There’s a torpor over the club at the moment and no matter how much money Arsene spends we never really seem to get that much better where the league is concerned. I think we are still considered a soft-touch and that is infuriating. We need to become much, much better. Dennis doesn’t fly. End of. It’s not like the PL is that good. All this stuff about the best league in the world is marketing bullshit from Sky.

  31. scottfromoz says:

    It’s the toughest and most competitive, Adam….no question about that, and that’s what makes it special.
    Dennis walks on water so flyng isn’t an issue 🙂
    I still say the positives far outweigh the negatives on him managing, but whoever replaces Arsene is in for some fun, especially if Wenger heads upstairs.

  32. Adam says:

    Scott. Is it really? I watched 4 games over the weekend, including an over-hyped Merseyside shit-fest and apart from a crazy 5 minutes at the end at West Ham, I was bored to death. I don’t see it. The German league just has to be better though I don’t watch it. The Spanish league is much more interesting – to me anyway. But then I like quality.

  33. Kcee says:

    Well spotted and straight to point on this article. Theo reminds me of the ancient Number 7 flank player. No disrespect, but Theo Jugs with the linesman along the lines more often than make contribution to the team. The Assistant Referee earns far less than 100K a match. If Theo wants to be great then he has to improve in all aspect and be more unpredictable with his positioning.

  34. rico says:

    Adam, Dennis not flying doesn’t seem to bother Ajax. I agree we are looked upon as being soft and with good reason. Pep? Well I’m not convinced but then you know that…

    It’ll certainly be interesting to see who does replace Arsene Wenger though…

  37. scottfromoz says:

    Adam, we’d be a smash hit in Spain or Germany though……
    Little physicality there, and mid season breaks make things so much easier on players.
    Those two leagues also only have two or three competitve clubs and 5-0 results are a weekly occurrence.
    The best of their best is better, but the rest are appalling, IMO.
    I’d love to see Real and Bayern jump straight into the PL, and I’d put plenty on them not winning the League.
    It’s all about horses for courses, and if only Arsenals home track was somewhere across the channel 🙂

  50. tsgh says:

    In my view there is a fine line between players being perceived to be ‘lightweights’ and managers being the reason certain players excel at certain clubs..

    An example is Vela and Griezeman.. both appearred to be lightwights but Greizman was always a grafter as compared to Carlos V. when they played in the same team.

    Griezeman showed in the world cup that he can mix it up for a man with a small frame when required…

    Most teams can accomodate 2 passengers easily but 3 or 4 passengers in the same XI puts too much of a strain on the rest especially against well drilled opposition…

    German football ahs this season lost its appeal imo… I guess I will say that because BVB 09 are 3 places of bottom.. 😉

  52. frednerk says:

    Rico when were getting bookings and sending offs,we winning stuff
    at the top.
    Ts Cheers will try get a read of that.
    I’d walk a million miles for one your goals
    Jon Sammels.

  54. rico says:

    Ts, just why in the big games, I’d never start both Ozil and Walcott.. One passenger is enough..

    Good point Fred, Paddy was forever getting sent off – didn’t often cost us though. Back in those days we were darn good playing 10 v 11 – The Liverpool one sticks in my mind when Van Bronkhurst ( spelling – and I think it was him) was red carded early on….

  56. bradster says:

    Hi All,

    What is Walcott’s role? Can’t be a winger, he can’t beat a man unless on pace, can’t cross and refuses to track and tackle.
    He can’t be a striker as he can’t hold the ball up, beat the defenders with skill nor play with his back to goal.
    Welbeck was pretty poor as a winger too on Saturday bar his assist. I’m sure Bellarin’s instruction was to follow Eriksen no matter where he goes and pulled way too centrally as Eriksen cut inside.
    However, too many times Welbeck was playing second striker when Tottenham had the break away. Bellarin had to come across to cover Rose. At times Welbeck been quick enough could sprint back and tackle/foul Rose.

  57. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Rico. perhaps those teams had a winning mentality and the collective ability to adjust and adapt to the game as it unfolded.

  58. rico says:

    Hi Brad, put like that, Theo doesn’t have a lot going for him… lol

    Bt, think you have just hit the nail on the head there…

  59. Bt62 Gooner says:

    As for Theo, well Arsene gave him a new one last time and will do this time…imo

    For me it’s a no and should have been no the last time, earn it first.

  61. rico says:

    I think he’ll he’ll be offered one too. The crazy thing is, if he was up for sale, I bet there’d be a lot of clubs in for him for big money….

  63. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I still think Diaby will get a pay as you play deal or something. Wenger loves his bum-chum too much to hurl him on the scrapheap.

  65. bradster says:

    I can believe that Rico. Friends supporting other teams said they can’t believe that Wenger didn’t start Walcott. They say he would’ve given Rose hell and kept him from bombing forward.

  66. Wavy says:

    That’s why the last contract was signed and made so attractive, because Liverpool had come calling! And they were a direct rival, well nearly. As you all know we don’t sell to our rivals…..well not often and never important players???
    Sure Theo will get a new one. wenger will see all his ‘boys’ rewarded and protected before he leaves for pastures green! Don’t forget they are part of project youth…..now renamed project middle aged!
    Theo is a leg end in his own life time! Mercurial, some days he is unstoppable others he’s unbearable! BUT whenever he has the ball on the halfway line and free space beyond the last defender I’m on the edge of my seat! Full of anticipation, expectation and often fulfillment. That’s really why they keep him on. Because he can….and often doesn’t!
    All the criticism that has been thrown at him I accept, he is lazy and unaware of things around him, he’s just not got a good footballing brain! He can’t help it! Give him a break, he’s not even match fit yet having been playing with himself for the past 13 months! He neeD s more time before he gets back in to the group, team stuff!

  68. andrewh1313 says:

    >>I know its not a good example to youngsters,
    but at least Jack questions every wrong decision a Ref
    makes against our players.

    Fred, I reluctantly agree, Debuchy gets pushed into hoardings, players should have demanded action from ref. Ref does nothing at all, we lose him for months. Roy Keane or Viera might have shown a little more anger at the situation, and rightly so.

  69. Wavy says:

    Sorry chaps I seem to have misplayed a blog! It was there, then I sent a correction and then it was gone! A bit like Walcott!

  71. Wavy says:

    The jist of the missing post was:
    Walcott will get a new contract because Wenger will ensure all his ‘boys’ will be ok after he has pushed off to the happy home for ex managers, c/o the NHS!
    Also, that Walnut has the ability to get me on the edge of my seat when he has the ball at his feet and open space beyond the last defender. He doesn’t always score………but sometimes he does!

  72. kel says:

    Another great post Rico…
    Walcott 100k Pw no not for me, fs stewart downing is more productive on the pitch, I was a Walcott fan but his overall game is poor and we need workers it’s as simple as that I’d let him go. imo the Ox is a better all round player and gnabry looked very promising to me. (Where the hell is he anyhow?)

    I’d keep jack as imo I really do believe there is a smashing player in within him I’m not ready to part with him just yet.

  73. rockyrocastle07 says:

    I just don’t understand why Walcott doesn’t do to players what Bale done to Maicon that time (and plenty of others since). Just knock it in to the space behind the full back and run like hell. No-one would catch him, but he just doesn’t do it. Ok, the cross at the end of it would undoubtedly be woeful, but a few may get across! It surely has to be worth a go

  74. bradster says:

    I agree with Kel. If Wilshere can play well with Song I think Wilshere can do well with Coquelin or a proper holding mid. A slight tweak to his game to release the ball sooner to avoid the 50-50 late tackle that we never get the foul from the ref and Wilshere gets injured.
    I think he can come deep to collect and can distribute well and link up well. He could be similar to Rosicky, all he needs is a little more calmness to his game. I think our new system of counter attack would suit his break out style of play.

  81. allezkev says:

    Hi Adam/Rocky, yeah, Darren flies, he swoops, he soars, he’s everything we need.

    Now I’m going for a lay down before BT starts on me… 😉

  84. Adam says:

    Chaps. I believe that, if he can jump and is willing to do so for only £50 grand a week, we will all be delighted. If he jumps in the general direction of the ball, then so much the better.

    Kev. Darren is the Condor of the game. 🙂

  85. Micko says:

    tsgh 10.58, Theo you know Walcott you know is a great pundit you know ! Very painful if you know what I mean you know.

  90. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Micko your 2.58 – Ian Wright was the king of the “ya know”. Like Ray Parlour loved saying “Obviously”

  92. HenryB says:

    Good Post, again, Rico. 🙂

    Theo is a bit like your English marmite – loved by some – disliked by others.

    He has always promised to produce good stuff, and has done so for many years, but right from early on he first had shoulder problems, then hamstring problems and so on, and each one seemed to take for ever to recover from, with the most recent one being a year long recovery.

    There is no doubt in my mind that he did not play well against either Villa or the Spuds – the goal against Villa came courtesy of his mis-control that fortuitously took the defender out of the game and allowed him to score with a great shot.

    But I am not prepared to write him off, because altho he looks a bit chicken-hearted when not tackling or jumping out of the way, that is understandable having just come back from a serious injury.

    A little more time and patience is needed and he might earn that new, improved contract. Hope so, or it will be time for him to hit the road.

    [Naturally AW will not agree with the above – he always reads AA, but does not easily change his mind.] 🙂

  97. Lee says:

    Adam, be careful with Kev…he’s taken drinking a lethal cocktail of methylated spirits mixed with three pumps of hand sanitizer, shaken not stirred and served over crushed ice!

  98. HenryB says:

    Rico,

    Having had a read thru the earlier comments, one item stood out for me, as over the years we seem to have been discussing who we thought might replace Arsene — really since you founded HH, and Erick, Oliver, W.A.T.H & Co. all had different opinions — I wonder if Wath still has his WC vuvuzela? 🙂

  99. HenryB says:

    Rico,

    I seem to recall you liking marmite and Theo, both! And Agag being enthralled by Tomas Rosicky! 😀

  104. HenryB says:

    Health and work problems still being a blooming nuisance, Rico. 🙁

    I am usually around to read stuff — and the Posts and the comments on HH always cheer me up. 🙂

    Got to go, but I will be back to read your Post tomorrow, as I usually do! 🙂

    COYG

  109. Rick says:

    Kev There is a vidio showing Hinds Sheaf and Willock with Jonker signing their contracts, Three sets of parents and agents are also present and it looks
    like the signings took place at the training ground, Now all three left England on
    ist Feb so it is possible they all signd 10 days ago.
    Why has it taken so long to come out?
    I now think Donovan and Keto to sign Pro contracts in the next few days.
    I gather Chuba is not playing for the U21’s tonight so he could get more playing time tomorrow

  113. Rick says:

    Good News Serge is back .Tonights team
    Illiev Smith O’connor Dobson Bola Kamara Niles ZelalemCrowley Gnabry Iwobi
    Subs Huddart Wright Theo (Greek L/B) Eyoma Lipman.

    No Bielick or Chuba both trained with FirstTeam this morning.
    see you latta

  114. allezkev says:

    Adam, anytime you fancy a ‘white-knuckle’ ride through the thronging streets of London.

    I’m your man…

    Clunk-Click, every trip…

    Especially down the M4… 😀

  115. rico says:

    Rick, I really hope this is Serge last game for the reserves and he pushes forward and back into the first team…

    Mind you, I bet they’ll be a section of fans who think he’s not good enough..

  116. Rick says:

    Rico The U21’s have another game wed(nextweek) and arsene has stated he will play in that one as well.
    Like you I wont to see him back with tge first team(no loan)

  119. rico says:

    Rick, he could really put pressure on Theo and Alex, no loan for him either imo…

    Trouble is Rick, not everyone will think the same…..

  123. rico says:

    Bt, for sure but I’m not sure all fans see it that way… They want a £20m + ready made player in the door, not some kid who might come good eventually…

  131. tsgh says:

    Rick- You have given me the best news this week with Serge playing tonight..
    Micko- you know. 🙂
    RM fans are slating CR07 for going out to celebrate his 30th birthday after his Theo-like performance… 🙂

    Ha ha ha Stuart has been sacked! He can’t surely blame Aw for his teams poor performances recently…

  133. Rick says:

    H/T still 1-0
    Very tight at the top now.
    we started tonight in 4th Newcastle were top at the moment we are level on points they have goal diff Plus 12 we have Goal diff plus 11.

  134. Bt62 Gooner says:

    Ts, what do you make of the Reus contract,rumour?

    Is it, a sign get more money and you can leave and we’ll get more…

  143. Rick says:

    At the moment I am witing for more info to come trough Bt

    I am very pleased with tonights result.
    We played a very young side and it will be interesting to see what the Newcastle team was, As a matter of interest in the Man U team tonight were Vades Rafael and Ashley Young something wrong there.
    I think the ko tomorrow is GMT

  144. tsgh says:

    Bt- i doubt Reus will extend.Reus is not from Dortmond so I doubt he has any loyalty to ateam that would finish in the bottom 5…
    Dortmond every 5 or so years have financial issues…

    Gundogan will leave too

  145. Rick says:

    Ginge Serge played 69mins and should have his next game Wed next week.
    I am told the younger members of the team played really with George Dobson showing just why Ajayu is no longer first choice .
    There over 1,300 watching the game.
    Lets hope the u17 and the first will make it a hattrick tomorrow
    night all

  150. allezkev says:

    Encouraging to hear that Donavon is gonna sign.

    A mate of mine told me awhile back that he was seriously thinking of leaving, but glad to see he’s had second thoughts…

  159. Potter says:

    Jon Toral on loan at Brentford now pushing for first team start . The manager’s comments related to sorting out his positional awareness and his tracking back. Is this a coaching foibles at The Arsenal.

  160. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico, looking forward to another great post from your powerful pen… 😉

    Morning Coach, Scott, Ginge et al…

    I wonder what it was like at 5am this morning, as I was still snoring in bed?
    They make ’em tough out in Essex… 😛

  162. tsgh says:

    Potter- you know that comment must not be asked…lol

    Bellerin had to go to Watford to learn/improve that part of his game…

    That is the reason why I have always questioned why sections of fans believe Bould is good when he failed to instill any tactical discipline to his u-18 squads all those years back…

    We can’t blame AW for that as Brady was in charge of the academy and the day to day coaching surely lies at the feet of the coaching staff…

    Look at Randal; one of the most gifted players to have come through the youth but he played like he had been blindfolded on the pitch…

  167. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Coaching young kids and giving them tactical awareness is one of the basic failures that many clubs all over the world do.

    Why are Italian clubs difficult to beat even when their team is crap??? Simple. They teach them tactics from a very early age…..beginning at 10 years. That is also one of the many quarrels I always had with my head coaches…..they wanted the children between 10 and 14 to be free to express themselves when I wanted to teach them basic tactics and positional awareness. I used to enjoy teaching them triangular formations and how to position themselves when the opposition has possession.

    Unfortunately it seems that this non tactical coaching bug is present at AFC as well.

    Bongu Kev!!!

  169. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, it’s a balancing act.
    Whatever they’re teaching kids in Germany is what I want Sean to learn, because they do tactics but also flair, and they’re the best at finding that balance.

  170. tsgh says:

    Kosser should not have started on saturday… he has gone on record to say he hates playing at 12:45pm.. he has mindblock according to MA08…
    Imo, the results last saturday does not change anything; we are where we are..

    A team where a player who could not get into Charlton, freisburg or lorient’s starting XI, can string together half a dozen decent performances and then he gets a 300% pay increment…

    Leicester are not going to be a push-over; they are bottom of the pile but they have played better than Hull and one or 2 other teams in this league…

    I agree re AV btw; but as Bt, rico and a few on here said AV were dire..

  171. tsgh says:

    Scott- google what SC Freisburg coach said about Le Coq last season…
    Aneke said teh same when he went on loan about himself; maybe reason AW never gave him a chance…

    Our coaching at youth level is shocking to say the least…

    Not teaching positional awareness is a crime unless you are RM or Barca who only buy the top players who have been schooled by feeder clubs like.. ;0

  172. Hell Raising Devil says:

    you do that in every session Scott. You teach flair and ball control during warming up. You teach imagination and movement during the second part of the session, while the third part you reserve it to basic tactics. One movement and one tactical shape at a time….sometimes even a whole week to the same tactical shape. Then during the game at the end (which is highly important) you stress upon what you have learnt during the session. Not difficult isn’t it.

    Flair and fluidity will come through practice and through repetition of the basics until they become innate skills.

  173. scottfromoz says:

    Sean’s school has a new coach……he had 11 seasons in The Netherlands before retiring over here.
    He started coaching last week and told all and sundry how astounded he was at Sean’s group.
    9 years old and the best group at that age he’s seen.
    Not bad……he learned his trade at the Ajax academy.
    Devil, you are correct.
    At 9, these kids know how to control the ball, how to dribble and shoot…….tactics are slowly being integrated.

  175. tsgh says:

    I met Jan Wouters once over 20 years ago and I asked him how I could get my coach to play me as a no.6 instead of a no.11; what he told me was that maybe you are not doing the right things when you do not have the ball.
    He told me to watch what Koeman or Effenburg did to the opposition no.10 when his CBs’ had the ball…
    The funny thing was it was later on that my uncle informed me Jan was voted footballer of the year ahead of Koeman or Marco but was not even known outside holland.

  178. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, this guy was probably unknown outside of Holland but seeing him play, is one of the most intelligent defenders I’ve seen.
    Not sure if he can coach yet 🙂 🙂

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