Walcott content with form for Arsenal – Is he now considered as important as Van Persie?
The Gunners’ return to European contention in seventh place – and just three points from third – may have been almost solely attributed to freescoring Robin Van Persie, but the Dutchman himself has unselfishly claimed that his relationship with Theo Walcott is the foundation for such an attacking threat. This is understandable, considering Walcott’s contribution to Van Persie’s century of goals with fifteen of the assists – the most of any Arsenal player.
Following a tremendous performance in the 2-1 victory over Norwich – in which he provided yet another assist to Van Persie – Walcott said to the Daily Express, “All people have to look at is the number of assists and chances I have made. I just listen to the manager, my team-mates and they’re happy. That’s the most important thing. And my family as well. I’ve been working hard in training and it’s definitely paying off.”
Walcott also commented – albeit briefly – on a potential contract renewal after the win, saying “My agent will be dealing with that. I just want to play my football.”
Such a deal is looking increasingly favourable for both the player and Arsenal, with the Englishman wanting to guarantee a starting place in his country’s line-up during the European Championships in the summer.
Despite critics arguing that Walcott still doesn’t provide as much in terms of consistency and final delivery to the team, the stats regarding his assists suggest that he really has improved over the past couple of seasons in particular. In the 2008/09 season, he contributed just 3 assists for the Gunners in 25 starts – an average of an assist every 8.33 games. The following campaign saw that figure rise to 7.5 games per assist, while last season certainly looks to have been the turning point for his now promising footballing status, with a much-improved average of 2.36 starts per assist.
This trend has continued, with a satisfying average of 4.33 so far this campaign, as well as a much more convincing run of consistency. Therefore, should all the talks of Walcott’s departure now cease? Despite his unquestionable talent, would Van Persie have been able to have amassed so much admiration – not mentioning goals – without the help of his speedy sidekick?
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I used to not like walcott, but I’m really starting to appreciate him on the pitch. We need him atleast until oxlade chamberlain can become a regular
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Thank you admin. I was wondering if noone took notice of Theo’s magnificent performance against Norwich. His first touch and control was absolutely amazing.Despite critics saying that we are a one man team, when we watch the games we see that everyone is really working together aas a team. I was really impressed with there work rate in closing down the opponents.
The entire teams performance has improved keep it up.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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walcott is really good at what he does and can beat any defender with his speed, his performance in the last match was wonderful, he is a very very important player for arsenal and we cant afford to lose him now. i know he has a goal on wednesday
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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At the start of the season I was looking toward RVP and Walcott to get us through this year, RVP has been outstanding and Theo is coming into his own – just love seeing him smoke defenders – and was unlucky not to score in the weekend.
Our front three look sharp and as soon as Walcott and Gervinho get their shooting boots back on we’ll be doing just fine. As far as the whole one man team thing goes: RVP is the man!!! but he’s had a fair few tap-ins and credit must also go to the wingers for a lot of them.
More to come from the team and it was great to see us close out the game with possession football denying Norwich a sniff at goal.
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Rohan speaks sense
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who needs hazard when we got walcott
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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I really don’t get why people keep saying we are a one man team, the entire team have finally bonded and we playing the beautiful arsenal football now! Theo is getting more and more confident and he is starting to look like Henry. Gervinho is a great signing but he really needs to work on his finishing as he does everything right but can’t put the ball in the net. GUNNER FOR LIFE!!!!
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Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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Saton82 i feel your a little harsh. The whole team has pulled together well and moved us up the table. Yes RVP has been a different class but the team has gave him many chances on a plate. He is the man with the final touch, scoring from our build up. I also think Barca would love to have TV5 at the heart of their back 4
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Walcott would have been man of the match had RVP not got both goals.
We get a lot of fans complaining that not enough of the team score but that has a lot to do with our system of playing just the one man up front.
Walcott is an asset and we can’t afford to lose him.
I am sure you all noticed that he was crossing the ball low in the box which better suits the way we play.
There is no use in crossing it high because no one is going to head it in.
A couple of good buys in January should be enough to get RVP and Theo to renew their contracts.
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This one-man team nonsense should stop now! Ronaldo and Messi scores goals for fun in La-Liga, but you don’t hear the media going on about how Madrid and Barcelona are a one man team do you?
Van Persie has been scoring because his TEAM creates the chances for him. End of story!
I would love to see Walcott sign a new contract. You can see he has been working hard on his game. I do hope Van Persie also puts pen to paper soon.
Keep the faith Gooners!
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i don understand y people keeps on talking abt barc barca brca…….f****k barca…….n comparing us wit them…..it really bugs me…f***************k off this cheating barca
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It is important as fans, to realise that we have a squad of capable players who can turn up on a day and be our heros. Performing week in and week out comes from confidence, experience and a unique clicking with other players. No player plays as an island. We are talking about Theo today and yet he has been jeered and castigated for way too often. Which the lad does not deserve. Aint it funny that his consitency is coinciding with more consistent delivery from midfield? That RVP’s performance is well supported by Gevinho and Walcott? I say let’s get behind all our lads and see what they will do for us. Even Chamak has a lot of goals in him that will come when the time is right and when we get behind him. I also believe Theo’s goals will come flying in soon.
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you dont become brilliant overnight!!!
the kid has always been good,he just needed a run ov games and the coming ov the ox has pushed him more…..
lets start supporting our players all the time rather than only when they come into form|!!!!!
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walcott is an excellent player, and has improved a lot. We shouldnt sell him as the euros are coming and he will improve his game a lot so that he may be selected for england. Just needs to work on his crosses. How hard can that be?
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yeah! i also changed my stand. i think he was a victim of bad publicity. he is one man who can do better than what pires was doing at highbury. he has the stamina, the will and the speed to do so. i can bet he is one of the rear talented forwards alongside tottenham’s world’s best left footed ‘chimpanzee’. give him a five year contract and 160k then sit and enjoy the game.
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@lolz ox just started in one champs league game and two carling cup games and u cannot say he is btr than walcott from just three games just take a luk at theo himself it took him until last season to get to play to his potential and it took until this season that he is working hard as a team player(i mean look at how he has been defending in the recent games his work rate is spectacular) so don’t judge ox too soon for now theo is the better one
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I think Walcott is having his best season for Arsenal yet. I still think there is plenty room for improvement as he has also mentioned but you can once again see Arsene Wengers influence in him. Arsene Wenger has got a gift to turn a scruffy looking player (which walcott was) into a good player.
Walcott just needs to work on his finishing and controlling the ball close to his feet when dribbling. But I have being very impressed with him. I also agree with the other gooners that although RVP is scoring most of the goals I still think the team has really played well. I see a solid team playing for each other and not indivuals playing for themselves.
Proud to be a Gooner. Im wearing my Arsenal belt to work today. LOL
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Theo is not bad at scoring but none are like RVP the way he plays now, that’s not a problem as long as Theo keeps playing like he did against Norwich. He does disappear for long stretches though, in fact the team disappeared for half an hour after scoring in the WE. We still need someone who gets them going the whole match, Verm does a fair job at that but we need jack back to do so from the midfield
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we don’t have only 1 in form player… besides RVP and theo who we all agree are amazing, we have vermaelen and koscielny at the top of their game, gervinho who just needs to improve his concentration and finishing will be a potential 15+ goals and 15+ assists a season… he beats defenders like they are 10 year-olds, if just improves his finishing and final pass he will be unstoppable… that’s mostly due to his concentration, cos he tends to miss quite easy chances after he does very well to get into them… also would like to point of szczesny and sond as very constant performers… santos and arteta are starting to fit in very well, with ramsey slowly but constantly finding his form… mertesacker had a tough time lately, but fans have been kind and nice to him, so i expect him to adjust much faster than koscielny who had it a lot tougher… if you think about it, we have a complete squad, with the great young guy jenkinson returning in about 2 weeks, and sagna and wilshere only a month and a half away each… not to mention the great things diaby can do, if he manages to stay fit…
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Theo is a great guy and he has started to show the stuff he is made of. The way that guy takes on opponents and then leave them behind is just breathtaking.And his numerous assists,his goals,especially that goal against the chavs are special.
Give him a little more time and more playing time,and we shall see another Henry.And Arsenal is not a one man team but collective efforts,even though RVP scores most of the goals,afterall that is his job-to score goals,he only does it too greatly.
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It looks like the new nike boots fit walcot better than they do torres….if walcot n rvp overcome their injury woes 4 the whole sson then there will b silverware at the end of this sson
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Walcott is an important member of ds squad. With d way he is going now I think he wud soon become everyone’s favorite player. His first touch is simply amazing and he has improved on his stamina as well.
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walcott has improved and i think with the van persie around, Arsenal will be better off.
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