Arsene Wenger was full of praise for Theo Walcott and Jeff Reine-Adelaide after the Gunners 1-0 win over Wolfsburg saw them win the Emirates Cup.
The latter provided the assist for the former to score the only goal of the game, and afterwards the Arsenal manager said playing Walcott in the centre-forward position means goals are not surprise.
“Another goal for Theo and I’m not surprised by that because I played him through the middle,” he said.
“I’ve always said that he’s a goalscorer because he has the movement, he has the timing of the run, the speed for the finishing, and he has an eye for taking his chances at the right moments.
“When he gets into these positions he finishes well. Yesterday he nearly scored when he came on as a substitute, today he scored. I believe that Theo will score goals.
“He’s not an aggressive striker, he’s a mobile striker. He’s the striker who lives from the quality of his movement and the speed of his movement.
“He turns up in the right spaces in the box and you cannot give that to a player. He anticipates well, he understands quickly and when that is linked with his speed and execution it always makes him very dangerous.”
But perhaps the star of the weekend was 17 year old Reine-Adelaide who is, on the basis of those performances, the new Diaby, Vieira and Henry rolled into one unstoppable, soon to be World Player of the Year, package.
Wenger was impressed, but urged caution over the new arrival from Lens.
“He is 17 years old and he looks very promising but he needs to work with us for a year in the first team. To be an adult, to play for the under-21s and to develop. There is fantastic potential there but he will stay with us.
“Today was a good opportunity to see him. In some situations of course, he has the game of a 17-year-old player but on the other hand he has shown great potential as well and looks very advanced physically for his age, and I’m sure he has learned a lot these last two days.”
In Jeff we trust etc etc
Adelaide was so impressive. Can’t wait to see more of him!
Cheers Jeff
You’re right he was so impressive I don’t think I’ve seen such a commanding and confident debut for a 17yr old maybe since jack Wilshere. He’s going to be a top top player..even at 17 he’s already seems above akpom iwobi zalalem and Co.. He and serge gnabry along with hayden should be more involved in the first team this year.. I was really hoping to see serge and wellington but I guess maybe they’re injured or in their way out of the club.. Maybe that’s the case for wellington but he was never given any chance whatsoever.. I’d like… Read more »
As Diaby goes, Jeff comes…am I the only one thinking there is poetic justice there?
Seems like you’re the only one.
I think most people missed what you’re trying to say! I watched Adelaide as well and thought he has skill set and physique similar to that of Diaby!
When you look at Iwobi yesterday and say Wow and then you see Jeff today, you wonder what they are giving these young kids to smoke at the Emirates. And then you remember that Akpom and Hayden did not look out of place and you discover that Gnabry is still on Holiday. While Superstars are fighting for spots, the young ones are reminding them, we are here to take your place. What a good time to be a gunner! I love the way the other kids in the team ran to Iwobi yesterday to congratulate him after the first half.… Read more »
Dear Walcott,
I am planning to name my to-be-born kid ‘Theo’. Please don’t make me reconsider the decision. Sign the thing. Retire as an Arsenal legend.
Regards.
Theo (4,5yrs) is my elder son and although i’m glad there is an Arsenal player of that name it was not because of Walcott, it’s just a great name! maybe there is also a future star at Arsenal named Arthur sometimes? Because that’s my younger boy…
Well, there was a king named Arthur, so, there you go…
you know it when you see jeff, could even do a cesc this season, walcott on the other hand once again showed why he’s not the answer as a striker, still lacks a cool head facing opportunities, no killer instinct.
Yeah…..6 goals in his last four starts and the decisive goal to win us the cup today. What’s THAT all about? ?
You wait til we buy Lens-Melbourne. Shit hot!
Sorry who? I wana you tube him lol
Changing my surname by deed poll to Mr Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllll-Ouagadougou.
Obviously this would be better if I played for the Arsenal. :\
Theo said he hasn’t signed a new contract. Either the DM is wrong as usual or Theo doesn’t know about the contract he himself signed…
True, but Arsene himself commented on the matter, saying they were getting closer and closer and it should be finalised soon…
I know it was just a friendly but how about some praise for Isaac Hayden to. In three games in the first team as a Cdm for Arsenal, while he was in the game the team hasn’t conceded a goal(Granted two are friendlies & one was the Carling Cup 2 years ago @West Brom). For me It’s not a coincidence he’s a great tackler, is really athletic, and a good passer(& can shoot as he showed today). He just needs game time. Personally I think he could have a similar impact as Bellerin last season if given the chance. Hayden… Read more »
Is this only based on the three games in 2 years you’ve seen of him?
No, I’ve seen him play many times in the Under 21 youth games, and several times playing for the U19 Champions League.
Oh. Well, let’s hope you’re right!
Today I saw him do some decent tackling, have a nice long range effort and shrug off a few players before laying it off to someone else. Pretty decent midfield showing for someone pegged for centre back.
We have a Jeff in our Arsenal team? Francis Jeffers?
Can we call him Ray Nad-Elaide?
You can, but we won’t.
Does anyone know why zelalem did not take part in any of the games?
Zelalem plays as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder and we were well covered there. Crowley was brilliant all of last year and didnt get a look in presumably because of the same reason .
he played in a tournament this summer for USA
Jeff we can!
Zelalem playerd for the under 21 world cup.that’s y he didnt feature in the Emirates Cup.Same as a fellow called Sanchez who also plays for Arsenal ! Who was buzy winning the CopA during the break!
He was in Singapore for the BAT so that can’t be the reason.
The fact he was with the squad does not mean he was ready to play.
http://youtu.be/AfIOBLr1NDU
Just call him Jazzy Jeff.
*DJ Jazzy Jeff, or JRA ain’t bad if unoriginal
who’ll start on the left in the community shield?
Feo.
The media :
We need a 20 goal striker
We need Yann MVilla or Felipe Melo.
We need to spend 200m quid
We need English core.
We need to win cups.
Whatever.
Even though Theo scored today, but he wastes so many good chances with his poor decisions. We need another best striker and defensive midfielder for this season.
Wenger is my man anyday: a fantastic builder of young talents;I fear wat will happen to d Club wen eventually he makes his exit;I pray no scatterbrain comes in to destroy wat dis rare professional has labored so dilligently nd dedicatedly to build in alomst 2 decades wit a wave of d hand.AW is an icon words are too short to appropriately describe,am very certain dis is his season of anoda great achievement!carry go Wenger!!!
You say ‘words are too small’ and then shortend them further in your comment.
Please care enough to type in the full words.
Keep in mind every gooner doesn’t have english as a first language, not sure if thats the case but is a possibility.
He should be called Jeff, just like Alexis is Alexis. And yes, he will be a star!
“My name is Jeff”
Jeff looks like Orlando Jones from the movie Evolution.
TAKE THE LEG! TAKE IT!
Unbelievable Jeff!
Or Arseblog might change that Merican co-commentary to “C’MON JEFFERYY C’MON..YOU SHOULD MAKE A CAREER OUT OF THIS……JEFFEREEEEE!”
Jeff the new Diaby (with the skills and not the injuries)!
Arsenal for life!!!