Jack Wilshere has played down the quality of his thunderous net-buster against West Brom yesterday, but praised the performance of Theo Walcott who bagged a first half hat-trick.
The midfielder was full of praise for his colleague who, playing up front, thrust himself into FA Cup final contention like a footballing Lord Flashheart.
“Theo looked sharp from the first minute and he gives us something different,” he told arsenal.com. “He likes to run in behind, the timing of his runs are perfect and even if they’re not he has the pace to make it up. He was deadly in front of goal too.”
But when it came to his own strike, Wilshere was a bit more modest.
“Gabriel set it to me and it was one of those where if I hit it another 100 times it wouldn’t go in. I hit it sweetly and it hit the top corner.
“We could have been six or seven up. We were happy with the four and we maybe dropped off a little bit in the second half, but we’re pleased with the first half and I’m happy with my goal.”
Whether it’s enough for Jack to force his way into the cup final midfield remains to be seen, but his recent performances suggest he’s definitely somebody you’d feel confident of making an impact from the bench if that was the scenario.
On a somewhat unrelated note, Gabriel was so good yesterday
aye, not a lot for him to do but looks like a quality signing. It’s nice to be going into a transfer window not clamoring for a CB, and even in the areas where we’d like to see reinforcements/improvements there is not a position on the park where a failure to sign would leave me devastated (though I’m sure some would disagree).
Top Goalkeeper (if szczesny is really done). Defensive mid to compete with Coq and a top striker to compete with Giroud. To not strengthen would be madness.
So good to see Theo on form again. He was very sharp before the injury. If he is to play as a striker more often then we really need a tall physical def midfielder. Giroud offers so much at defending set pieces that we need to replace that if Theo is up front. Its good to have options tho. This squad really excites me and its potential for next year.
And then, there is the next issue of a cup final on Stevie Gerrard’s birthday. How about we pay our tribute to Stevie Stoke-shit style.
Ok. Coat and hat please….. dont bother to hold on to my hat. it belongs to Sir Elton
I’d like to see Theo in place of Giroud starting the FA Cup Final. Thumbs up?
I’d play him on the right.
Yes..That’s my choice too
Giroud ST
Walcott RW
With Aaron on the bench, thumb up.
Or Santi benched, thumb down.
maybe drop Giroud, but we can’t drop Ramsey for Wilshere or Walcott. Ramsey should have had 2 goals in about 10 mins!
If I’m not mistaken, Theo had two in 11 minutes. Not that I want Ramsey to be benched, mind you. But with this confidence boost I’d like to see Theo start either at Striker or RW.
Just having Walcott on the pitch changes the way sides play against us.
If we can keep him fit I think he can bag 30+.
He has to start in the final!
Jack and Theo’s performances yesterday were just so refreshing and pleasing and in stark contrast to the tippy tappy, indecisive stuff we’ve seen from our players recently.
Massive headache from Wenger for the final.
Next season, for the first time in what seems like an absolute age, we have genuine quality and intense competition for places in virtually every position and it seems to have players upping their game.
Back up to the Coq and a goalie upgrade are possibly the only concern i’d have this summer.
I know what Jack means. It is incredibly rare to encounter the delicious perfect storm of the ball being at the perfect height and coming at you at the perfect speed and you also have time and space so of course the right thing to do is to absolutely let rip.
In my case it cannoned into goal off my mate’s left nipple.
Starting lineup v Villa should be.
Szcz
Bellerin Mert Kos Nacho
Coq
Rambo Ozil Santi Alexis
Giroud
Ospina
Bellerin Gabriel Koz Monreal
Rambo coq ozil Carzola
Walcott
Best to play 11 for a big game, IMO.
Love the way Wilshere’s goal was included as a late entry to Match of the Day’s goal of the season competition last night and promptly won with a third of all votes cast, whereupon Lineker tried to discredit it as the product of a Twitter campaign (what, in half an hour?!?) That’s two successive goal of the season wins for JW10 too! 🙂
One of the best moments of this season’s MOTD!
I couldn’t help laughing out loud. Lineker is such a wanker. Couldn’t believe it when I read he’s been presenting MOTD for 16 years.
Haha that’s exactly what it was to be honest, Arsenal Twitter is more powerful than Russia
I thought Theo’s first goal from that ridiculous angle was better. I really liked how he set up on the edge of the line about 3 times until he found his bit of space.
I honestly can see Jack becoming the heart of this arsenal squad. He has exceptional raw talent and is a born leader. He bleeds red and loves Arsenal to bits. When Ozil wants to go back to Germany in a couple of years that number10 spot will be Jack’s for years to come (providing his injury troubles are behind him of course!)
Cant even express how happy i am to see happy wilshere:):)
Lots of Talent!!
Lots of Untapped Potential!!
Onwards and Upwards for My Hero Wilshere and his/our Arsenal<3
Bring It ONNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!
It was great seeing Theo back and firing on all cylinders. He has a dynamic style that gives us more options than Giroud, which isn’t to say that he is better, just a different option. I’d like to see him start next Saturday but who knows what Arsène will do? Having Jack Wilshere back and eager is also a huge boost. His goal was a lovely strike but he’s right. Nine times out of ten it would have ended up in Row Z. Next week’s team will be interesting. Will Coq start or will Jack get the nod? What about… Read more »
Walcott cannot play right wing if Bellerin is on the pitch. He doesn’t provide enough support. Bellerin cannot handle the bright side on his own. Delighted to see him back and amongst the goals though!!