Arsenal have a two week break from the Premier League now and it may well be much needed, if not just for the rest that Robin Van Persie will get after what has been a relentless 2011. With his support, Walcott included, not in goal-scoring form, the two weeks will provide a time in which Arsenal forwards can find their feet once more, this time under the tutelage of an Arsenal great, Thierry Henry. During January, Arsenal lose Gervinho to international duty for the African Cup of Nations and relying on Thierry Henry to replicate the form of his last seasons in the Premier League, is not what you want to place your top four hopes on: Arsenal fans need to get behind their boo-boy Theo Walcott this January.
Walcott can be relied on and a confidence in him from the fans will transpire into a confidence in his performance and that is when Walcott is at his best. Over the past 18 months, Theo has a record that can rival fellow Southampton Academy product Gareth Bale: in 46 starts, Walcott has score 15 goals and has laid on 16 assists, whilst the Welsh wing wizard has hit 18 goals and provided 10 assists in 8 more starts.
Head to head, Walcott has a goals to game ratio of one in every 3 starts, which is matched by Bale and when it comes to assists, Walcott’s return of one every 2.88 starts betters Bale’s average of one every 5.4 starts. Tottenham fans will argue that Bale’s overall game is better and his contribution far exceeds Walcott’s game of pace and directness, however, when on form, Walcott’s attacking contribution is exceptional and just as valued by Arsenal as Bale’s contribution in defence is, by a heavily and free-flowing attacking Tottenham team.
This January, with it becoming clear that Arsenal find it hard to churn out results if Van Persie isn’t scoring, a rarity nonetheless, it is more important than ever to get behind Theo Walcott, especially in the absence of Gervinho and the presence, and thus pressure, of playing alongside Thierry Henry. Arsenal fans have something that most other clubs would snap up in an instant: a 22-year old with 132 PL games under his belt already, an international regular for England and a player that Messi labelled as “one of the most dangerous players” he has faced; now it is time for them to put some confidence back into a player lacking in it, if they want to see his better days once more.
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
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im a dedicated arsenal fan and to be honest, i have had enough with theo, he cant cross, has no skill and seem to have lost his pace. in front of goal he is totally clueless has no shot on him, weak in the air and soft in the challenge…..over hyped and over paid. There is talk he wants £85.000 per week and a new contract? when he comes knocking on the door to mr wenger..Arsne should stick him on the transfer list and sell him to man city for £25 million…HAPPY DAYS !!!!
The simple fact is that Theo is a very good players,but not a top one.
He is too inconsistent.
His best is brilliant,his worst is woeful.
The problem is we see more of the woeful than the brilliant.
Good defenders with brains and reasonable pace have him worked out.
I believe everything I have just said is accurate but hey,each to their own.
Agreed.
Spot on mate.
I tend to agree with this article. Yes, he isn’t always great and on Monday he was poor in the second half – but so were Arsenal collectively, and as an attacker he is dependent on the good service from the rest of the team. A key thing about him is is stats: his goals to game and assists to game ratios are still very good. Last season, for instance, they rivalled and even bettered Gareth Bale’s, but you’d never have known that from the pundits’ views on the respective merits of these two players. RvP’s own goal-scoring success has depended in no small part on the work of Walcott. That said, I do think Walcott’s confidence is low at the moment and it really showed in that horrible miss against QPR. He needs to stop talking to the media, get his head down and remain calm: it will come back.
I agree with ur assessment 100%, he gets too much stick for his efforts. unjustified most of d time. He has looked subdued though with the the past two weeks but that doesn’t call for his crucifition. RVP and Georviho has looked off pace and ineffective too and no-one seems to be talking about that. The major problem from the team recently has been lack of quality support from the full backs and it seems to have affected the attach overall. You can’t play alone effectively on the wing and thats why I think things have not been too bright.Lets see what happens when the full backs are sorted out
The problm is he is English and older than he was.
In the UK it seems to be impossible to be labeled talented unless you are under 20.
I’m not an Arsenal or Southampton fan I just love football.
The only problem I see with Theo is when he’s in front of goal, he learnt a lot from playing with Thierry but seems to have lost confidence in that area of his game. It may be he needs to move on or just persist until he gets that confidence back which could be soo with the return of Thierry. I hope his forn returns soon as he is a joy to watch when he’s on form, World class in my opinion.
Greedy, like most money money money
He left Southampton FC too early. He needed another full season to learn his craft (arguably as Bale did). I expect Alex O-C to go exactly the same way. That said, both were very good business for the Saints.
Theo is a good player, Arsene please assist on his crossing ability and his composure in front of goal – this is based on his 5 years at the club, not just one season. He just needs a little bot of consistency in his game. He can go from superb to shocking in minutes,
Theo is not the first winger to come under fire for his crossing ability, I recall a certain Aaron Lennon receiving the same stick. But AL clearly worked on it as he can cross, run to the by line and drive the ball across the 6 yard box, or cut in and shoot.