Arsene Wenger has warned Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that their continual fitness issues are negatively affecting their careers.
The England trio have had serious issues down the years which the manager believes hiders their performances when they do get a chance to play.
Wilshere missed most of last season with a broken leg, Oxlade-Chamberlain managed only nine Premier League starts as form and fitness deserted him, while Walcott has suffered throughout his career, most recently a cruciate knee problem which seemed to set him back considerably.
At his press conference today, Wenger said, “All three have a point to prove, of course. For different reasons. Most of the time it is down to the fact that they were injured and today at the top level you cannot be in and out, you have to be consistently physically at the top.
“If you are injured and come back the difference between the players and the teams is so small that you have to be at the top physically.”
And he pointed to the need to have a good season at domestic level if they wanted to force their way into the England reckoning under new manager Sam Allardyce.
“Yes, it’s a massive season because they have not been regularly involved in the English national team and they all belong to the English national team,” he said.
“There’s a new possibility for them because there’s a new coach in the English national team. But especially, I think what is most important is for them to do well for their club. They have been frustrated last season on that front.”
Wilshere is not available for Sunday’s game against Liverpool, but Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott are competing for a place on the right hand side.
Walcott and Chamberlain really have to step up to the mark. If they fail to impress this year I think they should be moved on.
Jack’s been real unlucky with injuries. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do this season. I just hope he can score against Sp?rs.
Please post arsecast soon…I am going under the knife for a vasectomy in 90 minutes & want to listen during procedure
!
Good luck with your surgery.
They don’t knock you out for that?? Wow. Best wishes for a surgeon with steady hands…
Too much info mate!
Nope, it’s local anasthetic only. My surgeon even showed me the little bits he snipped out as proof of the operation. Ugh!
Some kind of sadist this surgeon?
All three should go if they have yet another bad-unfit season.
I think Walcott’s got to convince us of his ability to play football before he proves his fitness! Really hoping this can be a big season for all of them. Theo for golden boot, Wilshere POTY and Ox scores the goal that wins us the title?
If you wish Walcott the golden boot it is because you know he can score a few goals. Why are you putting his ability to play football in doubt ?
I would like the win the Golden Boot as well, but that doesn’t mean I very much doubt my own ability to play the football required to win it.
Don’t think they need to be reminded this especially Theo. If we do not sign a striker and Theo doesn’t step up, it’d be very very disappointing. They all need to take the potential tag off them and be match winners and difference makers.
Yes, they’ve all been ‘Match winners’ and ‘Game Changers’ but very very rarely.
They need to show that consistently and not leave it to Alexis, Ozil and Santi.
The WOW are good players so i pray injuries should be their enemies from this season onward cos if they are feet arsenalfc will match any team in the world
HAHAHA really??!! Has there been 1 single season in the past 3-4 years that all 3 of them haven’t gotten a serious injury and missed most the season??
Need to ship walcott out ASAP, should have done years ago – absolute waste of space.
I’m even willing to drive him to his next club free of charge, his level is that of a club like west ham or everton (basically, average at best).
“Has there been 1 single season in the past 3-4 years that all 3 of them haven’t gotten a serious injury and missed most the season?? ”
Isn’t that exactly what he said?
Too many years now, the club have been depending on the same injured players and always the same outcome. Wenger needs to get ruthless.
Sell all three and be done with the medical merry dance with fitness and injuries every season.
This is Walcott’s last chance at a future with the club, in my opinion. If he fails to deliver again, he should be shopped around in favor of someone with a more ruthless streak in their game.
As for the Ox and Wilshere, they both have points to prove, but it’s not the last chance saloon just yet
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I hope they step up this season as we really need it
This comes from a man who is incapable of signing a player yet is the highest paid manager in the prem. The same man that says Walcott can play up front but not on the wing. The same man that is fixated on buying midfielders while not buying a defender.
So he can’t sign a player but he can buy midfielders?!