Wishlist Theo Walcott

[SeB 1,281]

No to Walcott, he hasn't got a footballing brain, he also seems reluctant to take on a man... the only thing going for him is he's fast.

Maybe if we play him in a more forward role, he's not bad at finishing but on the wing, no.

I think many forgets he's only 23. His natural role is central striker, not winger. He's not the skills to play there.

He's a good passer, I mean his understanding with Van Persie for three years cannot be regarded as "some punctual and luckily good passes". No, he has a genuine assisting ability. Not the most varied one but something we can expect with next season's animation: short crosses and through balls.

Many don't notice his goals comes from natural strikers runs as well, through the axis when he cuts inside. He's a well known terrific speed, his struggles in front of goal are mainly due to the high expectations for almost 4 years whereas he's all but a finished product. As an impact player with a role in the strikers hierarchy he can be a decent shout

For a similar price than Marin (considering he's free agent next summer) and decent wages (maybe what makes an eventual deal not that interesting, he's already on high wages)

I agree with TorontoChelsea's message.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Its a tough one. Personally Im always more excited by the signing of footballers than athletes and we have done well recently to sign technically gifted players like Mata, Hazard, Marin, De Bruyne. That being said there is no doubt that Walcott would add something to the team and I feel his speed and directness would really benefit Torres.

I wonder if Walcott would want out of Arsenal too? Aside from the issues of Arsenal losing their best players and a probable higher salary at Chelsea, he must feel that he isn't really loved by the Arsenal fans. He must be aware that Oxlade-Chamberlain already seems more popular with the Arsenal fanbase than he is. That must annoy him a bit.

Id be very much on the fence were this to happen.

[Shane 2,275]

Well, he would count as an home-grown player (which as his importance), he is still a young player (23 years-old), and due to his young age we could make a return on investissement if/when we'll sell him (by this, I mean, if he doesn't cost us too much, we won't lose a lot money when selling him). He could be a really good option to have on the bench.

So, all in all, if he is willing to be a substitute, and if we can negociate a relatively cheap deal (both in fees and wages), it would actually not be a bad idea.

There is better options for home grown players out there. I'd rather the likes of James McCarthy at Wigan who is only 21, Victor Moses, Junior Holiett, and would be available on much lower wages i'd imagine.

What we have with Walcott is a hyped up youth player who can't finish. Football isn't his strongpoint, running is.

Also, he has been at Arsenal for the last few years so he doesn't have a winning mentaility.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

There is better options for home grown players out there. I'd rather the likes of James McCarthy at Wigan who is only 21, Victor Moses, Junior Holiett, and would be available on much lower wages i'd imagine.

What we have with Walcott is a hyped up youth player who can't finish. Football isn't his strongpoint, running is.

Also, he has been at Arsenal for the last few years so he doesn't have a winning mentaility.

Can't score? He has more non-penalty goals than anyone on our squad except Sturridge last season. And James McCarthy? He's a central midfielder and not near the difference-maker Walcott is. I like Moses and Hoilett but Walcott is only a year and a year and a half older than they are and has accomplished much more. I'm not saying that we should go out and sign Walcott, just that he's terrific player.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

he's terrific player.

Even ARSE fans don't believe that.....

[Kojo 4,676]

For cheap i would definitley take him.

[Shane 2,275]

Can't score? He has more non-penalty goals than anyone on our squad except Sturridge last season. And James McCarthy? He's a central midfielder and not near the difference-maker Walcott is. I like Moses and Hoilett but Walcott is only a year and a year and a half older than they are and has accomplished much more. I'm not saying that we should go out and sign Walcott, just that he's terrific player.

No, he can't score. In his Arsenal history he only has 26 league goals, and he only got 11(In all comps) goals last year which doesn't say much about us if your stat is true, But i'd expect it to be far more next season regarding our players.

[Blue Armour 4,436]

No, he can't score. In his Arsenal history he only has 26 league goals, and he only got 11(In all comps) goals last year which doesn't say much about us if your stat is true, But i'd expect it to be far more next season regarding our players.

Yeah, in terms of stats he's much worse than Kalou, but he's still a lot younger.

[Shane 2,275]

Yeah, in terms of stats he's much worse than Kalou, but he's still a lot younger.

Why did you just bring up Kalou?

[Blue Armour 4,436]

Why did you just bring up Kalou?

Well...why are you giving more attention to the fact that I did bring up Kalou?

[Shane 2,275]

Well...why are you giving more attention to the fact that I did bring up Kalou?

Because it had no basis in the discussion?

[Blue Armour 4,436]

Because it had no basis in the discussion?

Its just a comparison. Nothing new.

[MIDOKA 28]

Would choose him over Moses any day...

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

No, he can't score. In his Arsenal history he only has 26 league goals, and he only got 11(In all comps) goals last year which doesn't say much about us if your stat is true, But i'd expect it to be far more next season regarding our players.

You're counting stats from years ago. No, Walcott couldn't score when he was 18 or 19, but he has 17 (non-penalty) goals in the last two seasons in the Premier League. That's fabulous for a winger. You know how many Chelsea players have done that? Just Sturridge. Walcott has scored more goals than Drogba, Torres, or anyone else in the same time frame and he's a winger and not the target man, the penalty taker, or the guy who takes free kicks for Arsenal. He's scored more goals than Garreth Bale or David Silva over the past two years. The only winger that has as many goals as Walcott over the past two seasons is Nani. You can't say "he can't score" when he objectively can.

(And the reason I use Premier League stats when possible is that it's a level playing field of comparison. Everyone plays against the same teams. The "all competitions" can be fine, but it can also be misleading. You look at say Torres and compare him to Walcott and say, well, they both had 11 goals in all competitions even though Walcott had 9-6 lead in the Premier League so they had similar scoring seasons. Well, Arsenal, like most teams, sit their starters against poor squads so Walcott started exactly 1 FA cup match and no Carling Cup matches all season and Torres started 5 FA Cup games and a Carling Cup match. Arsenal didn't quite have a Genk in their group, but the worst team they faced was Olympiakos and Walcott didn't play against them at all. So, Walcott's "all competitions" were much much tougher than Torres' who was scoring the bulk of his goals in the types of games that Walcott was rested in while Torres was sitting in the tough games. So, you're comparing one player playing Genk and Leicester and Birmingham to the other playing AC Milan, Marseilles, and Dortmund. It's not remotely comparable whereas if you're playing 30 games in the Premier League, you're going to be playing most of the same teams.

[Rahul Haque 57]

walcott is more proven then moses. he has a year left. a 10 million deal for walcott makes a heck lot more sense then moses.

wouldn't mind walcott if we don't get hulk. he's good enough to be a super sub and challenge for a first team place if a player is off form.