Theo Walcott believes his status as Arsenal’s resident ‘Speedy Gonzales’ stands him in good stead as he looks to secure a regular starting berth at the Emirates.
The England winger, who missed a two-month chunk of the season with an abdominal problem, scored a brace on his return to the first XI last weekend at Manchester City and firmly believes his directness will be a fine alternative to the trickery of his midfield teammates.
“You need different options,” Walcott told Arsenal.com. “We’ve got a lot of players who love getting on the ball, who have great touch and great supply, but you need a bit of pace just to stretch teams and give them that extra bit of worry.
“We’ve got so much danger going forwards and it’s a nice headache for the manager to have. I’m a totally different player to most of our other options.”
Given his two-goal salvo at the Eithad, Walcott should be a nailed on starter for tonight’s game against Chelsea, a fixture in which he’s enjoyed a good scoring record. He scored his first ever Arsenal goal in the Carling Cup final against the Blues and has since netted in three Premier League encounters. There was even another strike in the FA Cup semi-final a couple of years ago when we were Drogbuggered for the millionth time.
In other news, Carl Jenkinson says the nine days off since the 6-3 defeat in Manchester will have done the squad good. The boys were given a couple of days to let their hair down, during which time they held their Christmas party, and should now be raring to go for the arrival of John Terry and his ghastly West London bandits.
“It’s nice to have a little rest and have a little break because we’ve done so well up until this stage,” Jenkinson told Arsenal Player.
“Maybe we just needed that little break and a little time to recoup physically and mentally.
“Sometimes it’s nice after a not so good result to go out there and play again as soon as possible but at the same time there’s the advantages of having a little break.”
I think playing without wingers has been somehow a set-back for Giroud. You would often see him alone in front. Walcott will bring the best out of Giroud and Ozil as well.
A lack of pace on the wing means HFB gets moved away from the goal by the off-side trap. Whilst he can still contribute from there his shooting from distance is as bad as anyone else. Put Walcott and Özil on the pitch and suddenly the opposition defence drops off (unless managed by AVB) and Giroud moves closer to goal. At which point our wide players can start pinging balls into the box for him. It’s why we always struggle against Drogba, either you play a high line and someone runs beyond him or you play a low line and… Read more »
Nailed on the teamsheet for me. Walcott is a real asset for this team. The ozils and cazorla will pass it around, nutmeg the john terrys and Cahills then walcott is the man to be released with an arsehole ripping pass to score.
problem to me seems to be that ozil does his best work on the right an that is where theo plays too. maybe we should try a 4-4-2 occasionally with theo playing closer to giroud and ozil drifting around the right hand side? have seen more teams reverting to 4-4-2 in recent months without any ill effects and can imagine ozil laying on a lot of chances for theo in that formation.
am really looking forward to seeing a fit and strong podolski back in the squad again over the coming weeks. he is probably the best finisher we have.
Why is everyone predicting a slim win? I say we rip them appart 4 – 0! And we will!
I’ll take any kind of win; slim, tall asshole ripping, anything as long as its a win
yes we can…
Come on Theo,
I’m a big fan of yours, but you wanted the extra cash, now’s the time to repay the loyalty. C’mon son, we know you can do it.
Just imagine Andros Townsend on a flight to Brazil… Exactly!
Now, focus!
Hope this pants weather don’t put the skids on things
“a fixture in which he’s enjoyed a god scoring record”
What was Bergkamp’s record against the chavs?
Thumbs up if you missed that when reading the piece. Thumbs down if you caught it. Punch screen if to wish to express displeasure my suggested foolishness.
I missed it.
You owe me a new laptop screen
If Walcott is a nice headache, then I pray for a nice migraine in the striking department
If thats the situation then in midfield, Arsenes head has already exploded.
Love Theo, such a down to earth guy.
I wish there were other players as direct as Theo in the squad. Instead of biting about the bush and probing with little reward, it is refreshing when someone has a direct run or a stinging long shot. We must take the game to Chelsea and not be naive in our play.
Lets show those scums no respect like fearless warriors.
P.S I hope Rosicky starts today, he exemplifies the above more than any other player in our squad.
COYG
Insert joke about ‘biting about the bush’ and ‘probing with little reward’ here. Are they connected?
There is always a reward with the probing – Arsene, 2007
In a game played in pissing rain freezing cold windy as fuck I predict the team with the most English and German players in their ranks
*victory I predict victory
Theo will have a hard time of it against Cashley I think, but Ozil and Ramsey can really get past Essien and Mikel – that’s the department where we have a real edge. And now’s the time for Santi to really go to town (Geddit??)
Mikel is suspended no?
I think Essien is suspended and Azpeliwotsit is on left duty
Essen ain’t playing….Cashely has been dropped ….
We have the players to win this game….Plus I have been a good boy all year….Well most of today and the big guy in red said he would make it so and should deliver my Xmas wish of a 3 – 0 ass whooping! (The big guy in red was the BFG, Santa is kind of busy at this time if year)
Are we utilising Ramsey to the fullest by playing him alongside arteta/flamini rather than further up the pitch ?
Come on Arsenal!