Written by Scotty Davis Gooner on Thursday, 13 September 2012 11:45

Imagine how it must feel? Bursting onto the scene at Championship club, Southampton, lighting up the league with your blistering pace and impressing someone with as high a profile in the game as Arsene Wenger?  So much so that he then decides to spend millions of pounds on you, draft you into his Arsenal side and you perform to the standard that warrants International recognition.

All of this and you’ve barely been old enough to drive for a year, or purchase alcohol for that matter.

So, whilst the new kid on the block, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career is beginning to flourish, a question mark levitates over the head of the once BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, Theo Walcott.

With less than one year remaining on his current Arsenal contract, having rejected a five year deal reportedly worth £75,000-a-week, it’s almost impossible to calculate which direction his career will turn next.  Manager, Arsene Wenger insists that Walcott is “not obsessed with money” and that he “thinks Theo loves the club”, but having started on the bench for two of Arsenal’s three games this season (being substituted in the other) it appears more so that with a fully fit squad, Walcott perhaps wouldn’t be the certain starter he has been in seasons past.

From a footballing perspective, Walcott is blessed with the one attribute any player would wish to have; he’s lightening quick. He has such an advantage on a large majority of players and I believe because of this, the game of football should be easy for him, and at times, effortless. But too often then not, I feel he makes situations more complicated for himself.

“Don’t think, just run!!” I find myself shouting on many occasions.

I’ve heard many Arsenal supporters refer to him as lacking a ‘footballing brain’, something of which I think is a tad harsh, however I do wish he used his speed more and attacked space more frequently. Often when there is a gap to run into, he’ll check back. Now whether that’s an instruction of Wenger’s remains unknown, but given the amount of players in the past he’s purchased who look very much at home running at an opponent, I’d highly doubt so.

Like Chamberlain is beginning to do so, Walcott has progressed from when we first signed him, but I don't think he's progressed at the rate we all (Arsene included) expected him too. Injuries have played there part over the years, and his reoccurring shoulder problem has a tendency to strike just as he’s building up some form of consistency.  Whilst appearing to hamper or stall his progression from a tactical sense, Walcott has however developed into one of our most effective players when it comes to both creating & scoring goals. Last season he scored 11, creating 13 in the process whilst the season before he made 9 as well as finding the net 13 times.  No one in this squad scores as many as they create, except for him and that’s where his and his agent’s contract rejection side of the argument is on paper at least, justified.

As a man, what I like (admire)most about him is as far as modern day, English footballers go; he's been an absolute class act off the pitch as well as on it and has represented The Arsenal superbly. The way he's conducted himself during his time at our club, for such a young man as well, has been tremendous and if he were to leave at the end of the current season it’s this I think I’d miss the most.

When it comes to football though, I believe the footballer is replaceable. What’s most likely more disappointing for him, I’d imagine on a personal level is the specific player who recently it seems, offers more than what Walcott does. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was given the nod ahead of Walcott in Arsenal’s recent victory at Anfield and what was most noticeable was the tactical awareness he showed in covering and protecting his full back, Carl Jenkinson.  Yes he’s a ‘bums off seats’ player, which Theo can be, but at four years Walcott’s junior he showed a willingness to defend, and his positional sense throughout the game was on a level we’ve rarely seen from Walcott. Whereas with England also, it now seems ‘The Ox’ is ahead of Walcott in the pecking order as well.

Next March, Walcott turns 24. It’s at this point in his career that he should be at his most explosive, hitting his peak, and really showing the final stages of true development. He should be settled, starting games, playing regularly, scoring goals and knowing exactly where he’s going to be next season.

None of which is apparent at this moment in time. Concerned?  He should be.

The fans?

The majority I speak too are far more excited with what the future of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has to offer.

Scotty Davis Gooner

@ScottyDavisAFC

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Comments (12)

• 13-Sep-2012 12:28 | | Anonymous
  

  

• 13-Sep-2012 12:36 | | docbrody  - Be careful what you wish for
  

  Anyone who wants to replace Walcott with the Ox should ask themselves this:
  
  Which of the two players would you fear the most if you saw them line up against us for a team like Real Madrid or Barcelona?
  
  For me, there is no question Walcott would be far more intimidating.

• 13-Sep-2012 12:55 | | hoshangvivacesc  - walcott
  

  Tired of the walcott debate.. Why would teams like juventus and chelsea be wanting him soo much, if he's shit? And yes he is loyal , couldve easily left the club this summer like persie but he didn't .

• 13-Sep-2012 13:03 | | tim_lewis85  - Frustrating but undeniably talented
  

  excellent stuff, Scott.
  
  "Walcott has progressed from when we first signed him, but I don't think he's progressed at the rate we all (Arsene included) expected him too."
  
  That line,for me, sums up the problem with Theo. He has developed and become a better player (his assist record last year case in point). However, he probably should be better than he is given the raw talent he obviously had when he joined us.
  
  He should have cemented himself as a regular starter and definitely scored more goals (he has the ability as he has proven on many occasions). That obviously hasn't happened and the emergence of the Ox has put extra pressure on him.
  
  However, I believe in Theo and think he has the ability to tear anyone up on his day. I want him to stay. I said at the start of the summer that I felt his contract was more important than anything to do with RVP. I still stand by that and hope we keep him as I think he could become a great for us. We'll see.

• 13-Sep-2012 13:07 | | Mark Healy
  

  Great article. Hit many nails on the head regarding both Theo and Ox. Don't think anyone really thinks Theo is shit, just that he is underachieving. Yes his stats look good, but far too often I feel myself looking to come on the pitch and strangle him.
  
  At the end of the day he is a good player, not a great one. We can't have someone earning 75-100k a week sitting on the bench every week. I believe the situations with Squillaci, Chamakh and Arshavin should teach the board that paying these high wages for players not guaranteed to start is a bad idea.
  
  Ps, I am one of those too excited about Ox to care too much about what Theo does, he's a nice guy and maybe his nice guy attitude holds him back at times.

• 13-Sep-2012 13:33 | | NathonW  - View from Old Trafford
  

  Great article.
  
  For me, Walcott hasn't achieved his full potential. No blame on Wenger or Arsenal - simply expectation levels were too high.
  
  He is a good player - scores, assists, works hard. He is definitely replaceable though.
  
  He falls into the same group of players as Sturridge, Lennon and Nani. One sparkling game in every four. Not good enough for top of the table clubs.

• 13-Sep-2012 14:11 | | MeanLean
  

  Great work SDG!
  
  Nicely balanced I'd say. To be honest, I believe that if Walcott had signed an extension then he would have played at Anfield. Theo has pretty much always started for us since he replaced Arshavin in the starting line up.
  
  Arsene is probably giving places out to players who have committed their longer term future to the club. The fact that he hasn't signed yet just indicates to me that his future will be elsewhere. I could be wrong but I doubt that right now.
  
  Theo is a strange one for me. Always boasts impressive numbers at the end of the season. Makes goals, great finisher and gives us unrivaled break away pace. The issue is that for me, there is no middle ground with Theo. He is either the most dangerous player on the pitch or one of the worst but his threat i.e. his greatest strength means that he is usually kept on the pitch.
  
  Technically, Chamberlain is already a better player not really a surprise given that he is a midfielder and I do believe that he will be the better all round player in time.
  
  Theo, while young is no longer a kid. He needs to start putting his game together consistently and I think he will do that, unfortunately not at Arsenal.
  
  I think what we see of Theo now will pretty much be what we see for the rest of his career. Great numbers, deadly pace but also games where he is below the level he should be.
  
  I would rather that was with us but just not sure that will be the case.

• 13-Sep-2012 14:24 | | H-Bomb  - -
  

  I'm tired of Walcott full stop. By his own admission he's 'consistently inconsistent ' - and he's a an absolute pansy.
  
  Liverpool are interested in him?
  
  By all means go there for 90k to play in the Europa League, lining up alongside footballing Heavyweights such as Joe Allen, JonJo Shelvey and Stewart Downing. I seem to remember Joe Cole making that decision and look where that left him.
  
  Arsenal are a team that need senior players to pull together and repay the faith Le Boss has put in them with large transfer fee's, molly coddling and bumper wage packets based on 'potential'. Walcott is not a man to have in the trenches with you. Like Arshavin, he is a luxury player, a luxury we cant' afford*.
  
  *Unless he gets well good and then I'll pretend I never said this

• 13-Sep-2012 15:36 | | East Stand Alex  - Theo - a luxury too far
  

  My feeling is Walcott's abilities are misunderstood, and overrated and underrated over different his skill set.
  
  He's a player who really can only run onto the ball, but not with it. So with the right players, he is very effective at running in behind onto through passes and (the part of his game he has developed) being more than decent at hitting it first time. Always a good finisher (running and scoring must be all he did in his Sot'on youth teams), he is now also good at providing short crosses, which worked well with a great mover like rvp, and should work with Giroud and Poldi.
  
  But he isn't a natural striker as his movement when he's level or behind the ball tends to be static and lacking in any instinct. How many tap ins have you seen Theo score?
  
  Most of all, I think Theo has very poor balance (for an elite athlete). Probably because he developed a sprinter's gait rather than a footballer's (see the fascinating nike tests with c. ronaldo (on utube) for an insight). He struggles to make sharp cuts at high speed whilst controlling the ball. So he can't run at and beat defenders, except on the inside slant when he's picked the right angle and running in a straight line.
  
  This means that he is very ineffective on the counter attack - unless he runs onto the final pass - as when he receives the first pass, you notice he only jogs slowly with the ball while waiting for players to join him for him to pass it off and then make his deep run. And he can't make a good medium/long pass (like Poldi did at anfield) to get the ball spread to a dangerous area. So usually the opposition get back if we are countering from deep when Theo gets the first pass; making him a very inefficient attacker to find a place for.
  
  On top of this he doesn't really have a great football mind. He plays his position well enough at times, but he's not the best of game readers - tending to try the same things repeatedly. This is unsurprising as he only started playing when he was 11 years old, and would have played with the english coaching attitude of: win the games! Using his speed to score and never being forced to develop a variety of approaches.
  
  I'd say that Theo is an effective player - in the right situations. Mainly with an effective high press, so if we win the ball high up the pitch he can be put in immediately. Goals against Newcastle, Chelsea and the spuds spring to mind.
  
  But in a balanced game where we need a variety of contributions from all our players, for me Theo is not a starter. Great impact sub, but not on £100k/week - unless he's making that in shirt sales...
  
  Chambo, on the other hand, seems ideal for that role. With traits of theo, gervinho and Cazorla, he is someone that can fulfil whatever role each situation needs.
  
  Our evolution as a team, for me, is without Theo. Would like him as a sub, and in easy away games. Would prefer a large transfer fee - but Liverpool seem broke. But I wouldn't want him breaking the ox's learning curve.

• 13-Sep-2012 17:01 | | BuxtonGooner
  

  Someone referred to him as a 'Speedboat without a driver'. Sad to say, they're not far off. You take away his pace and I honestly don't see much there.

• 13-Sep-2012 21:57 | | Johnny Gooner  - That Scotty boy has a point!
  

  What a great read.
  
  Summed up the lad, Theo perfectly.
  
  You can tell that Scotty likes Theo, he's very complimentary of him in places but at the same time offers his genuine football opinion of him.
  
  This is by no means an 'I hate him, get him out my club' article, I too am desperate for Theo to succeed but I can't see it.
  
  I think he'll be off come May too.
  
  With pace comes expectation and unfortunately for Theo, maybe the expectation surrounding him was just to high. It's a shame but lets hope he really gives it one last try this season of it is his last with us.
  
  Personally, I don't think he'll stay.
  
  Once again, a delightful read. Thank you.

• 14-Sep-2012 10:21 | | Sydney Gooner
  

  Honestly I see the likes of Ryo and Gnabry being better than him in a few years due to Walcott's slow development. Both these players are as fast if not faster and have more potential. With that said I'm mostly indifferent to him signing an extension or leaving.

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