Is it time for Arsenal to try Walcott as a striker?
How close is Walcott to becoming a striker? by TS
Yes yes, Arsenal supporters all realize what’s been happening with Walcott behind closed doors at the Emirates and there’s constant doubt over his future with Arsenal in January, but let’s leave all that and concentrate on something else for a second, shall we?
Arsene Wenger stated that when he signed Walcott from Southampton in 2006, he saw him moving to a more central role in the future, and in 2010 even hinted at the possibility that the English international could make the switch soon. Two years later and Walcott is still out in the wide position however, that’s not Walcott’s fault. Theo has become a key player for the Gunners in a wide position and has yet to be given a consistent run, playing in the centre but it seems all that could change now that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has entered the Arsenal team set up.
Whilst comparing the two players, Arsene Wenger had this to say, ‘ They are a different style. I believe that Walcott is more of a striker-type and Oxlade-Chamberlain is a more midfielder-type.’
‘You could see Oxlade-Chamberlain developing into a central midfielder but you could never with Walcott. I see Walcott developing through the middle as a striker and Chamberlain maybe as a central midfielder.’
So then, that still begs the question of when Walcott will be given his chance as a striker? I suppose today’s game is as good as any to test Theo up front. With The Ox set to start, Arsenal have more than enough cover for him in the likes of Gervinho and Arshavin and even Podolski who can switch to right wing. 3-0 up with 20 minutes to go and I expect Walcott to get a shot. If Wenger isn’t going to use him as a wing, he may as well try him up front.
why not? hevn’t got anything to lose
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
31 
0
Ye if were winning by two goals or more in the 60th minute give him a good half hour of football up front and we’ll see whathe can produce! It’s only fair to see if he can actually play up there or not?!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
14 
0
honestly i cant see a problem today ,i think all is well in goal ,defence is exeptional ,midfield looks solid too ,& the fowards dont look to bad ,i believe southampton will try to make a hard game of it ,but i feel we will prevail
prediction..2-0 or possibly 4-1
WHO 2
WHO 2 B
WHO 2 B A
GOONER…
COYG..
Rate this comment:
9 
1
Nah its time for Giroud to score!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
31 
0
In theory we have nothing to lose by using him as a striker..but from my perspective we need a tall striker just like giroud..when we had vela,eduardo we used to play fantastic football but with players like adebayor,bedtner we used to take results so i’m not sure that this move could be in regural basis..
Rate this comment:
2 
5
I think its time 2 sell him. He is no striker material, he’s too frantic.
Rate this comment:
2 
6
I 100% agree. He’s very inconsistent at crossing the ball. Def should start playing upfront. His pace and attacking will kill most teams!
Rate this comment:
8 
0
I think we need to play 4-4-2 to have walcott as striker, cant see him being our main striker in 4-3-3 because if the defence play deep, walcott will be effectively absent
Rate this comment:
1 
2
Yes, because giroud looks average at the moment.
Rate this comment:
1 
9
Walcott is a confidence player,not sure he has the consistency or the instinct to be a top class striker,however if dats the position he craves ,give him a chance to prove himself…first home win today 3 nil,giroud to get off the mark…
Rate this comment:
2 
0
I think we will hardly see Theo in the team until he signs a new deal.
Arsene is putting his foot down (which is great to see) and its clear he’s putting the likes of Podolski, The Ox and Gervinho in before him. Once he’s signed, he’ll play… But not down the middle.
Rate this comment:
7 
1
Walshot so fast like Using Bolt. Southamton defence be very scary if Walshot run to them. No harm to try yes?
Rate this comment:
1 
2
Sounds like fans are starting to lose faith in Giroud. I remain in high belief that Giroud will succeed. He just needs time like any striker that plays alone. Do people not understand that the lone striker hardly touches the ball compared to your midfield players?
Are we that desperate already that we’re thinking of Walcott to play the CF position. The kid is a terrible finisher. Can’t beat his man one on one so what makes you think he can outdo a couple of CBs and a goalkeeper? I’ve been waiting for Walcott to improve nearly as long as we’ve been trophyless. The English worship him like he’s some deity and speak of him like he’s Messi. Does it not make you wonder why England haven’t won anything major in decades? Stop thinking with your nationalism and start thinking with your brain!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
10 
3
dude, playing ox on the |wing will give him extra creativity when he starts to play at the midfield so will it give walcott some creativity. remember all henry and rvpussy where wingers then converted to st.
Rate this comment:
1 
0
Yes. He can play for Giroud’s knock ons and use his pace.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
I wish Walcott could train with Carzola for a few weeks to gain a better skill set. He has tons of pace, definetly can score goals but due to is size he would need to be more skillful on the ball to also be able to hold up the ball. Most top strikers can do it through their size but walcott would have to do it through skill.
Rate this comment:
5 
0
Did nobody notice apart from coaches that wenger actually played a version of. 442 last time out? giroud and podolski played as a pair with arteta sitting behind the other 3 midfielders. it worked a treat as jenkinson and gibbs provided the width. as for walcott and gervinho they are the next options as the 2 strikers. i am not saying wenger will play this way at home but if you recall after the sunderland match he said playing with 3 strikers did not work so obviously feels that walcoyt and gervinho are not wingers and neither should he as they are quiye obviously nor.
Rate this comment:
0 
1
If Walcott could do what Henry did (run around in an offside position then put one foot onside and get to the through ball) then he’d be amazing in my opinion.
Rate this comment:
1 
1
Sick of this walcott for striker rubbish he CANNOT play up top on his own his touch and play with his back to goal is terrible!
He can only play with a partner like a kevin phillips off quinn type of partner.
Podolski was not playing up top with giroud he was a left forward who occasionally swaped positions with Giroud.
Walcott has had his time hes basicly bin playing as a right forward for 4 years now and doesnt join in enough with the front man as he should like podolski has shown already.
Walcott for me is already in his best position and yet still not consistent im sorry but he nneeds to be sold in january!
Simply not good enough through him not learning.
Rate this comment:
1 
3
Any team who plays a high line will get crucified by Walcott playing as a striker, the key is can he handle defenders getting tight on him, it will be bout his movement and first touch!
I think he could be lethal if he has actually learnt from the likes of rvp & Henry!
Yes give him a chance!!
Rate this comment:
4 
0
Yes he should have had the chance ages ago, he is a brilliant player.
Also good winger but should have a go at striker
Rate this comment:
2 
0
I bet he could play better through the middle than in wings.Arsene could try him against sloppy teams that defend higher on the pitch.We saw what he can do in the 2010/11 season against olympiakos.He has pace, scoring ability and has started developing technique. Although not as physical as Giroud, but he is better than Chamakh in terms of decision making and the killer instinct.
Rate this comment:
2 
1
-1-
25-4-5-28
-22-
-8-19-
-15-12-9-
Rate this comment:
1 
2
Its time for Arsenal to try Walcott on the bench!
Rate this comment:
2 
4
Oh YES!!! his crossing is poor and can’t really take on wingers but will be dangerous up front as he can bury th eball in the net.
Rate this comment:
1 
0
I’m sure there is a reason that he is not playing up front, in all honesty our club would not buy a new CF if they thought for one second Walcott would fill the void. He wants to play up front Wenger wants him up there and although he seems ideal and i think he would be ideal. He must not be up to the task in training…… Unfortunatly
Rate this comment:
0 
0
no chance of him starting upfront 2day.AW talking about the long term
Rate this comment:
0 
0
When he has mastered the wing well like Rooney did then we can talk about Striking
Rate this comment:
0 
0