Arsene Wenger says he doesn’t know if Theo Walcott will be an Arsenal player next season.
The winger has had an indifferent season, starting at centre-forward with some good performances, but over time he’s been used less and less, and at the moment is being kept out of the side by 19 year old Alex Iwobi.
Speculation about a move away from the club has been increasing, and it won’t be lessened by the manager’s latest comments.
Asked if Walcott would be an Arsenal player next season, the Frenchman said, “I don’t know yet.
“I’m not in transfer mode at the moment but I think he has gone through a bad spell. He has responded very well, because he said: ‘OK, I will work harder and more.’ When he comes on now, you see he is motivated and focused. Let’s see how well he finishes the season.”
It’s certainly not any kind of ringing endorsement – especially as he doesn’t say outright he wants to keep him – but Wenger tried put Walcott’s recent lack of playing time into some perspective.
“You have the emergence of a guy like Iwobi,” he said. “But the players that did not play [against West Brom]: Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and I forget a few that weren’t even in the squad.
“All these players will be frustrated, or the guys who go out will be frustrated. Welbeck didn’t play, Campbell didn’t play.”
It’s worth pointing out Cazorla is not fit enough to play after an injury; Arteta hasn’t been involved for months; Flamini is yesterday’s man; Wilshere not fit enough; Oxlade-Chamberlain not fit enough; and Welbeck rested having just returned from 10 months out.
Campbell is the only one who should feel frustrated, particularly as when he came on he showed he can contribute.
It’s going to be an interesting summer, that’s for sure.
Good.
Summer is coming.
At the beginning of the season Theo looked like he might have changed. He was tracking back at times and he even made a tackle once I think. But unfortunately he soon reverted to type. It’s almost like being down to ten men when he plays.
Theo couldn’t score in a brothel with a £50 note hanging out his arse. Sell him please. Also get rid of Arteta Flamini Rosicky and most of all Ozil who is great when we are on top but like Walcott hides when we are under pressure. I would sooner see us bring young lads through that care about the club and hungry players from lower leagues.
You ruined your comment with the Ozil part
More importantly, where do I find these brothels that are taking 50?!
..particularly those that accept hanging from ass variety.
Ozil has been our best player by miles this season you weirdo!
Campbell > Wallcott
On holiday here.
Thought I’d take time out my day to just say that Walcott is fucking shite, and we should sell the useless cunt this summer.
If it happens, it happens. Right Theo?
Hopefully Wenger going public with this will give Theo a kick up the backside.
Wenger suggests that Theo knows his performances have been patchy, and that he is very much in the ‘head down and get on with it’ mode – so hopefully this spurs Theo on to add consistency to his all round game.
I am very much a Walcott fan, so hope that we keep hold of him, but I will add that t many of he squad have been below their standards this season so it’s not just Theo that needs to take a look at themselves.
Walcott should have pursued a career in 100 metres sprint but would have been financially poorer for it and never made gold.
That’s fairly damning from Wenger, he’d usually say that he wants to keep the squad together. Bottom line is Wenger knows there is a lot of unhappy fans now and he’s gonna have to pull some serious transfer rabbits out of hats to stop the current malaise before the beginning of next season.
And the good thing for us is that we can get a good price for him. With the TV deal kicking in there will be a more clubs in pl that can afford Theo and his wages.
I can see him doing well in teams like crystal Palace, Southampton etc. Teams who play on the counter and not necessarily play the intricate build up football.
I think Walcott would be good for any team that plays with pace….. I wish we played with pace….
Neither club can afford his fat paycheck and Theo doesn’t come across as a guy who would compromise on his pay for playtime.
I guess he would still be an Arsenal player come next season.
“Bottom line is Wenger knows there is a lot of unhappy fans now and he’s gonna have to pull some serious transfer rabbits out of hats to stop the current malaise before the beginning of next season.”
The mental imagery that just evoked was like a cross between a Jim’ll Paint It picture and the opening credits of Rick & Morty 😀
You lost me at “Jim’ll Paint it”…but I think I get what you mean?
And who the fuck are Rick and Morty? 🙂
Adult swim at Fox..sky catchup might still have it..awesome show
Unlucky Theodore
Unlucky to have 140k a week?
That contract is a problem, who on earth is going to pay anywhere close to 140k to tempt him to leave?
We’ve got to hope he would move to China basically
What we need to do, is tell him there’s a renewal contract for 60k a week or he can leave.
That’ll do the trick…. I think? What does 60k or 140k a week mean to anyone? It’s like saying, I’ll have fourteen burgers for lunch… oh wait.. maybe six might be enough. I’LL HAVE FRIES WITH SIX BURGERS FOR LUNCH.
I don’t know, I’m not a football manager.
I don’t think that’s how rich people work…
Inside theo is a 25 goal a season striker, but can’t work for us cos of packed defenses. Feel sad for him but he can’t blame Wenger or the club for not giving him the chance.
We do definitely need an upgrade
Right, then it’s best that he would move on.
Firstly who would buy him and accommodate his wages?
Secondly, who instead of him? Someone who would be genuine upgrade.
I wish someone on the board would do the same to Wenger.
You read my mind!
Considering how much you bang on about Wenger out Tobin it’s not that hard! 🙂
The squad does need some work in the summer and Walcott could well be one of the high profile sales.
From Windows gone by though I just don’t feel 100% confident the club and manager will do the necessary culling and buying.
My opinion counts for little but my hunch is that we will buy one player early, probably xhaka (sp). Then after this we’ll sell and release players. Then we’ll be left waiting for most of the summer for the usual 2 players we need to really kick in and it won’t happen.
Its cut throat time. No need to sugar coat things anymore, any player not good enough should be let go
Campbell > Walcott any day
I agree.
I also feel that Campbell can play in Özil’s position, whenever Özil is unavailable.
Campbell does have a good final ball in him.
Theo’s gone for sure.
Classic Wenger!
He’s off and I don’t know too many fans that will be upset if he does. 10 years and arguably hasn’t improved, hasn’t defined his position, hasn’t consistently proven that promise. If the going rate for an England international is anything to go by, he should improve our spending power in the summer.
Safe to say the time has come to cut our losses. Theo hasn’t developed like we thought he would.
There were times where he was the best finisher we had on the team, but not anymore. He always seems to show up when its time for contract talks. That just doesn’t cut it anymore.
We need to offload either him or giroud. We cant keep both and buy a new striker. Its just not possible.
Of course its possible, Theo can go back to being an impact sub out wide. Like he was during his younger years. Giroud can be second choice CF, Welbeck second choice WF. Just like ever since RvP left, there is still absolutely zero excuse not to get an upgrade this summer, regardless of who we keep or sell.
A 140k impact sub?
An obvious talent yes…..but such a frustrating player to watch!!
I really don’t care about players being frustrated, that is what should drive competition in the squad. If they sulk and decide to take their toys away like Debuchy they can go and be replaced by someone better. AW should not pander to the players, he doesn’t need to anymore. The fact is the TV money should allow other teams to pay the wages of players like Theo or the Ox. I would like them to stay but as squad players until they justify being first choice.
Given the fact that he’s probably one of our highest earning player I have no problem calling him out on his lack of quality. If a player earning as much as Walcott isn’t capable of holding down a first team spot then he needs to go.
IMO Theo is fourth in the pecking order with Iwobi, Ramsey and Campbell ahead of him on the right (arguably Chamberlain too is ahead of him). In the central position he’s third behind Welbeck and Giroud. We can’t have a utility player earning the same as Alexis and Ozil. Sadly it’s time for Feo to move on.
Sell da ting!
no more L’s ma nigga
I still think Theo can be of use to us as an impact sub on less money than he is now.
I hope for an interesting summer and not a frustrating one. Now is the time. And for fucks sake, give Campbell the slot he deserves!
have a word blogs
Not quite sure I’m seeing the same motivation and focus arsene sees! But if he’s working hard in training fair play to him
Theo (and us in effect) are symptoms of the RVP sale,we couldn’t have lost theo in that window,that’s some of the reason we are in this mess now after the purple patches,windows and injuries we dont know left from up and down from right when it comes to the speedster
Love the opening lines about Theo having had “an indifferent season” – could I ask which season we are referring to? Would seem an apt description for most!!! I really hope Wenger ain’t bluffing here as Theo needs to be sold!!!
One of many going no doubt. Certainly need some upgrades. Feel for Campbell impressed on several occasions with him. Think will look for a fee for him too.
Wenger seems to be showing a bit more ruthlessness, I’m not sure who would pay the wages so unless Theo takes a massive pay cut I think he may well be on the bench again next season.
The thing is, will Wenger use the money on a decent player? Ultimately that is the main thing. Knowing Wenger we will end up with another fast attacking winger, probably under 20 years old. Then what is the point? I could Theo going to somewhere like Liverpool and being transformed, destroying defences and scoring a few goals.
Exactly! That’s what I find so surprising on the message boards here, fans are way more interested on who we can sell than who we can bring in. If you asked them who they’d replace Theo with they might say Reus or Griezmann. If you asked them if they think we could get them, they’d be more realistic. Not saying we shouldn’t try of course. The weird thing is when people say he could bang in 20 goals for Southampton or Liverpool and not for us. We could do with a 20 goal a season striker too, maybe we would… Read more »
What people are saying is that Theo would be better suited to a team that attacks on the break. Teams don’t attack us so his speed on the break is redundant for Arsenal.
Pretty sure West Ham attacked us when they put three past us. Same with United, Liverpool, Barca, Bayern. Even Watford and Southampton. The idea that teams play with two banks of four against us exclusively is a nonsense. But the way we attack means a lot of teams tend to defend that way against us, and if they just sit back we tend to beat them anyway. And we don’t counter effectively enough ourselves. When we have this season, we’ve been excellent. United and Bayern at home, Leicester away are great examples, and Walcott was excellent in those games. If… Read more »
Most times, Theo doesn’t have skill to beat his marker 1 on 1. His pace is being nullified by one quick defender or a deep defensive line. His lack of a great first touch means that midfielders have to deliver perfect through balls for him to apply just the finish. His light physical stature means he’s got minimal hold-up play. Performances like United and leicester (just home btw) are examples of teams that, on the day played open end to end football AND didn’t have the personnel to deal with theo. How many teams in the Pl do that anymore?… Read more »
This. This is what we need from Wenger. Ruthlessness and acceptance. Even though this should have been done sooner. These are respectable actions from the Manager. Noticing flaws and not putting your faith before results.
Yes please, I am very happy with a Campbell who works his ass off over a more talented Theo who doesn’t.
Lol if you think Walcott is more talented than Campbell. Campbell actually has a footballing brain.
He never seems to put in a shift, like he wants to make an impact somehow.
His lack of defensive awareness has cost this season trying to dribble the ball out of our area and then getting caught in possession leading to the opposition scoring.
Should have sold him as soon as his agent started giving us problems.
Interesting comments from AW. Personally I am done with him. Campbell’s work rate and ability to find space or pick a pass in packed defences that Theo just offer.
I have no doubt that he would be awesome at a club like Leicester (if they could afford his wages), either alongside Vardy or as a replacement, but it’s pretty clear to me that he’s not up to our standards.
I wish him no ill, loads of players haven’t been quite good enough, but I’m ready to move on.
Good for a club like Leicester but not “up to our standards”? The same Leicester that are 10 points clear of us? Right.
I wasn’t saying that they are a worse team – it was a comment on Leicester playing much more directly. They rely heavily on the pace of Mahrez and Vardy and Theo would fit into that system perfectly, in my opinion.
As a team, Leicester ARE better – the current league standing backs that up and I couldn’t argue otherwise. We however, are a team of more individually skilled players, and we need to be adept at playing direct football and against compact defenses but Theo’s attributes only suit one of those situations.
The thing is, if you look at the teams that have won the premier league over the last 10 years, I’d argue Walcott would fit into a lot of those teams and the way they play. But he doesn’t fit in with us. I think that says something, no? For whatever reason, as Arsenal fans we seem to think teams only play compactly against us but it’s simply not true. Rather, the way we attack dictates how teams defend against us. If we were quicker, teams wouldn’t have time to settle into two banks of four. As poor as Walcott… Read more »
I know Arsene likes to show faith in his players, but why has it taken him five years to see what everyone else could see back then, Theo just doesn’t seem to have a football brain.
I have been having strong feelings Campbell is done with Arsenal, either he doesn’t want to stay at Arsenal or well, or I don’t know what else could be keeping Campbell from getting more playing time. Honestly, I feel very impressed by him and really thing he ought to be put in the line up much more often. Dunno maybe Wenger has an attacking winger ready to bring in during this transfer season? *please let it be Messi*
I think he’ll go to Everton.
Hey Wrighty, what do you think?
Me think, if Wenger decides to sell Walcot, it would be more of economic reasons than footballing reasons. Wenger must have suddenly realised he made a mistake by agreeing to pay Walcot £140k. If Walcot was earning £60k he would have kept him. Wenger is known to have kept worst players e.g Grimandi, Senderos, etc. Is Ox Chamberlain any better? Of course, he might keep him cos his salary is not huge. Wenger has been fantastic for the club no doubt. But now lacks that drive, inspiration to motivate a team to win the premier league. We easily fall into… Read more »
Theo wouldn’t make a difference to a more counter attacking team as he would just run into a player or two!!! Perhaps he might pointlessly go wide and dribble the ball out of play for a goal kick or throw in!!! Nothing new there eh!!!
It should be over for alot of players including Walcott. I have no faiththat Wenger will make the wholesale changes that are needed for change.
I would Theo to stay.
Apart from Theo please never ever let Campbell Go. Nobody will forget if we will mis him. We like him. Arsenal fans here in Tanzania everyone like Campbell don’t do a mistakr like what Man U did for Pogba.
Wow this is wenger throwing Walcott completely under the bus. Certainly welcomed by me, he hasn’t been ruthless and perhaps that’s what held us back!
Please please keep Campbell.
Don’t even think of loosing him. Give him new contract. Tie him up.
Until 2020.
Wengers mistake was letting Theo hold the club to ransom when his contract was due to expire then giving him a large pay rise to keep him but then he never changed his level of play he has just reached a level and never advanced and should of got rid of him last contract now he has a better contract he can now hold the club to ransom again with some other clubs not wanting his 160 k a week wages he will not be missed if he goes having great pace is one thing but you have to have… Read more »
Yet another example of mismanagement from Wenger. Just a year ago he was given a pay rise taking him to 140k a week, making him one of the club’s top earners. Now he’s realised he’s not good enough and wants to get rid of him. Good luck finding anyone (other than Arsenal) stupid enough to pay Walcott those kind of wages to such a limited player.
Just more evidence that the manager has lost the plot.
Joel Campbell’s wages is 30.000 a week. Almost 5 Campbell’s for one walcott.
Theo seems like a lovely fellow but has never quite been good enough. Shame really.
After some basic research it turns out I’ve completely missed that Walcott signed a new contract only last year and was granted more money than he was when having the club over a barrel in the pre Ozil and Sanchez days. So we have this underperforming player on monster wages for another 3 years. What was the thinking there?
Forget all I said about him as an impact sub on less money. Sell him this summer and bring in a younger prospect instead.
I liked your last sentence about “going to be an interesting summer”…..no it won’t. The root and branch that we need still won’t happen. I feel like Bill Murray lying in bed as ‘I’ve got you babe’ is about to start….yet again.
Quite frankly he’s shit (can think of no other word more suitable). He makes no effort. Takes no responsibility. Makes no contribution whatsoever. Might as well play with ten men…
Should’ve sold him when he was trying to convince us he was a central striker. He was worth more then.
All we really need is two transfer moves.
#wengerout
#kroenkeout