So, Theo Walcott must be dropped from the England set-up immediately. He is the sole reason why England did not win the World Cup.
He can’t pass or shoot and doesn’t have a football brain.
It is Arsenal’s fault for destroying a young talent who has clearly not lived up to his potential, he can’t even control a long-range pass from Steven Gerrard. Arsene Wenger is to blame.
_ _ _
It does make me laugh you know. Theo went into last nights game with the nation expecting something special after four goals in three games this season for Arsenal and my thoughts were that he did well with what he was given – he isn’t the type of player who controls 60-70 yard passes simply because A) He isn’t the tallest guy, and B) Its not his game, he wants the ball into his feet so he can go forward.
Whilst last night was not his best performance by a long shot, he still proved that he does possess that ‘football brain’ everyone harps on about – he delivered a couple of balls into the box that were of really high quality, one of them would have certainly of ended up a goal if Defoe hadn’t have changed the direction of his run, if he would of finished that off it would have been a brilliantly worked goal.
For Defoe’s third, Theo was one of the major factors in that goal, dragging the defenders just a bit out of position to create the space for Defoe to get his shot away, I would go to the point of saying that Theo was in a far better position than Defoe was but Rooney definitely chose the right pass because of the space.
I just can’t stand the consistent flippant criticism of him, he just cannot win. Play well its a fluke, play badly he’s the nations failure. He is 21 years of age and has played in 13 internationals – he isnt one of the perennial let-downs like Lampard and Gerrard… add to that Wayne Rooney without a goal in 11 internationals.
We all know its true that Rooney does not like Walcott. The body language says it all, but how the hell can he get annoyed at him for not getting the ball into the box when he himself is launching aerial passes in his general direction all the time like he is some cross-breed between Peter Crouch and Usain Bolt, I’m sure that peeves Theo off a treat.
I guess the most important thing is that so far, he has not been injured. If he comes out of this bunch of internationals without injury it means he can pick up where he left off against Blackburn last weekend. Sod England, Arsenal are the priority and I believe right now that that is what his attitude is as well – he hinted as much in the Shareholders Q&A a while ago.
The fact that Stuart Pearce has made an unfounded accusation against Jack Wilshere as well just heightens my belief that the national set-up as a whole is a giant waste of time – Pearce said:
“Whether there is any truth in the Wilshere stories or not, I feel he’s taken his eye off the ball. This game was too important.”
Its perfectly fine to hold that view – but don’t come out and say it in the public domain, keep it in house and get him to work harder if you think that is the case. The fact that he has also mentioned a situation where he has been proven to have been innocent is plain wrong as well. He should stick to Subbuteo.
Hurry up please, proper football…
Arsenal News 24/7
great post! completely agree with your comments. wish people would lay off this lad and let him play!
Agree, 100%. Give the lad a break.
“I just can’t stand the consistent flippant criticism of him, he just cannot win. Play well its a fluke, play badly he’s the nations failure”
Sad, but very very true.
Fantastic post. When i first saw the title I was like whaaaat?? Ur supposed to be on our side! Haha! Theo will show them! And they should lay off Wilshere as well. He’s so young. Give him a break.
It’s utter garbage. Adam Johnson is 2 years older than walcott, has been given time to develop and doesn’t get criticised for every shit ball he plays and there are plenty of them. I’m using this as an example because it shows how young theo still is.
But he really looks like he has the focus and determination this year. Not sure if what you say about Rooney not liking Theo is true but Theo is now showing the attitude of “Couldn’t give a fuck if you like me or not I just wanna play Football”.
I do agree that the international set up is fucking crap. I mean look at Pearce. FAiled club manager who is hiding under capello and can’t really fail or get criticised coaching the U21′s. Please!
Arsenal are top priority and playing for England is a bonus and until we get some decent players in England Theo won’t be able to play to his full potential. 200 mph balls from gerrard and roo at a distance of 6 yards is never gonna help
So true GT.
Johnson is tipped as the next big England star… he has played what… 2-3 games?
I wonder when the media will turn on him too.
If for nothing at all, Theo Walcott’s pace is something to behold.
Slate him if you want but the guy will come good and he’s already good for his age.
I just love this blog, right up there w arseblog.
I was curious, at the bottom of the blog iit says, ‘The Goon Blog is an official afiliate of Arsenal FC’ what exactly does that mean?
Blazin Gooner:
If you glance over to the right you will see some adverts – these are from the clubs affiliate scheme where the graphic directs to the club shop.
Thanks for your kind words, makes it all worthwhile!
So Rooney (or the Red Mist Kid) doesn’t like Theo? That’s a compliment in my book. Rooney is a thug from way back and all thugs get sorted in the end. Apart from the odd pass, Rooney is a bit of a liability at the moment in the England setup and should be dropped.
great post agree completely, i was excited to watch walcott last night, but it was typical old england yet again, they simply cant or wont use theo correctly and it so frustrating, theo hardly had 1 decent run all game coz they were’nt getting the ball to him, and i agree with u on the rooney not liking him thing, it really shows in his body language. the service he was getting last night was disgusting, if he was pinging balls about like gerrard and rooney were last night hanson and co would of been slating him 2day but then again these fucking idots get on his back when he has a fantastic performance so there’s no change their is it, i feel so sorry for the guy he cant do right for doing wrong, he shud fuck england off and concentrate on arsenal where he is appreciated, im just scared if he continues to play with the idiots in the england set up and he becomes isolated in games his confidence is gonna be destroyed and i dont want that.
I felt Theo saw little of the ball most of the time and the balls he got were not too good for his style of play. Nice to read that a few others saw it like that too. Or maybe its the gooner specs we had on?
Did anybody else feel that the team (esp. G. Johnson) didn’t want to pass to Walcott? They kept on heading up the left hand side most of the time and when someone decided to pass to Theo he was in a deep position. Furthermore he was getting no help from his mates who refused to make an overlapping run to create space for him (as Cashley was doing on the left) and to offer a passing option!! He found it tough cus he was getting no support and was being surrounded by at least 2 players. I admit tho he wasn’t his sparky self and was a bit hurried on occasion but all the same. Wasn’t as if his team mates were helping him out.
It’s curious, but I don’t know if its just me feeling a tad sorry for Theo considering the perplexing criticism he has been getting.
Well said mate. It seems that every pundit/commentator/ex-professional is out to ridicule the vastly improved Theo! I’ve heard it on television and radio, he tries a shot and it’s “oh look how wasteful and greedy he is” Puts a decent ball in that’s heading for the six yard area (a harder task for him cause we dont really throw men in the box) and it get’s well cleared “oh dear he didn’t find his man” I’m sick of it! When do you ever see any other player get scrutinised like this? – If Rooney does a dodgy long ball that goes out of play “Oh well done Wayne it was a smashing idea” He’s not the finished article but he’s becoming a bloody good player! Up the Arsenal, THEO! THEO! THEO!
i think rooney and johnson(rb) are englands weak links. mistakes will be costly against better opposition. defoe should start every game and theo is a must because defoe is the only out and out striker and rooney is the new heskey and is far from a superstar for club and country. so we need goal scorers in wide positions. its a shame that theo(who wants to represent eng) has to play with an error prone rb and a big time charlie who thinks he is a super star
Theo Walcott has become Capello England team good luck charm. Capello never lost a game with England in which he started with Theo that’s not unsuall but the casry thing is that he lost all the games he didn’t start with Theo.. ….freacky eh. with numbers like that and the history of how lucky is Theo … He is very very very lucky Boy. Unbelievablely Luckyyyy
Anyhow, Gerrad hates Walcott that’s no secret and Gerrad is the Captain so what do you expect from the rest of the team. I liked John more as a Captain Even Rio is Perfect can’t wait for him to come back and put Gerrad back to his place.
I agree Goonermagic, was Johnson under orders not to get forward and therefore be more defensive? It certainly restricted Walcott. Is it me or did we not play a hell of a lot of backpassess? strange considering the relatively weak opposition and the fact we were the home team!
yes there was a left side bias attempting to get cole in the danger area….where as the quickest and most dangerous player (theo)was only given by my count one chance to get in behind the oppo defence.when the ball was played down theos channel it was from johnson a short foward pass giving theo no chance to turn and run.theo was in the end having to comeback into his own half to get the ball…any pass from midfield to theo was a square pass and not into space again giving no chance for theo to have a run…….one question why did theo not get a pass like the one johnson got for his goal…i wonder
Great post. Between country and club, Theo should always put Arsenal in the priority. Why? Simple. Cos if you struggle to perform with England, everyone is on your back, including the manager. Who’s still there with u through thick and thin? There’s only one Arsene Wenger. If I were Walcott, if I didn’t know before, I know now who should be the one I should give all my loyalty to.
Hmm England didnt win the world cup coz of Walcot! What a poor post, Did Walcot play in in world cup? Just wonder!!!!! Look for other things to write about. Walcot is still young and improves each day. Give him time and he will be a good player. The combination of players he plays with arent all that good.
do not be stupid theo didnt go to the world cup so how was it his fault and look at his goal against blackpool nd blackburn were they not shots so please you can like to lock up your mouth theo is a great player how many player how many players are as fasts as he is so stop being a hater
I hope you’re reading these comments Theo. You will know who and where your real friends are. The fact that he brought Theo off means that Capello is a muppet as well. He won’t deal with a problem that is obvious to those watching. Blame the small guy, don’t tackle the bullies. Gerrard is the ULTIMATE UNDERACHIEVER at National level.
Theo is class no matter what some jealous bastards in the England team may do to frustrate him. Theo is very young and has shown his readiness to learn and to give his best. His pace is simply amazing. It is up to Capello to stop the nonsense but if fails, AW knows how to use this his asset. My advice is that Theo should not feel distracted and should simply continue his amazing performance. With time his evil detracting assholes will learn to respect him. Well done Theo and continue the good work. I will always pray for you. You are very committed Gunner. Good boy.
Love spell works magic, stands true for all situations in life. You would perform better where you feel loved. And there is just too much hate and jelousy in the England camp. England you’ve gottalent in Walcott embrace him love him. After all you don’t have better than him you can look messi or Fabrgas but they will never become english. He is English he is talnted maybe not as messi but he is talnet. So You better love him and stop hating your selfs.
Bobad and Emeka… Wat r yu guys on about? Did yu actually read d damn post.. If yu did.. Read again.. And if its still nt sticking afta d umpteenth time.. GET A LIFE!! Geeez!! Embarrassing comments
Bobad and Emeka are very talnted they can tell a book by it’s cover … no need to read.
Watch Gerrads first Goal Celebration! Tells everything about how Gerrad feels towards walcott.
Why is everyone saying its a good article…
you contradict yourself so often in this, it makes no sense!!!
This is a brilliant post agree 100% I had not noticed about Gerrard not liking Theo…but I have noticed Rooney not liking him…in fact in the last match before they went…he lost his temper with Theo a couple of times.. when in fact one time Theo’s pass was a great one and it was Rooneys fault for running into offside position. I felt Ronneys dislike of Theo was a factor in Fabio’s decision to drop him…….mind you I am so glad now that he did not go….
I wonder why they dont like him? any idea’s?
Very good post. Im happy that Arsenal Fans get behind our Wallcot. He is a great player and still in developing. The players makes their developing in their clubs and not in the national team. It is very fine that he is in the hands of AW. It can be his season.
I hope that the fans take the same attitude towards all the Arsenal players especially Almunia. I hope that he will give as good games in the next weeks so he can regain confidance and so can the fans regain their confidance in him.
England has depended so much on Gerrard and co and have been dissappointed each and every time and Wazza was supposed to be that ‘kid’ that goes along with them. Then here comes a kid who just feels proud playing for queen and country- you gotta hate that kid- we @ arsenal love you theo and we believe you will get trophies for club and country
Good article. Seems to be a general consensus among Arsenal fans that Theo is not “one of the lads” in the England set up. Basically he’s an unassertive well educated polite southern guy. Maybe it’s a cultural thing that he doesn’t relate to the likes of Rooney. Gerrard slated him in his book. Either way last nights match showed he didn’t get any joy or help from other England players. Johnson passed once and it was a bad one. He never had one of the kinds of passes he gets at Arsenal which allow him to use his pace to outstrip the defence. Then I put the radio on and listen to anti Arsenal idiots like Cundy saying “Johnson must replace Walcott”. What? Theo has outstanding potential, better than any other England player I can think of. If he develops well he could be England’s Henry. The attitude of some of the other England players smacks of jealousy.
To be honest ima say this and not hold back the british public and selection of english players have always been racist towards players of ethnic origin. Take shearer going througfh a year not scoring and them sticking by him and exluding the likes of Ian Wright Andy cole Et all and currently Darren Bent from the england squad who was in great form.
The great white hypes such as rooney, gerrard, Lampard will always be picked ahead of better players because of thier reputation the same is for walcott.
He was in tons of space and was hardly passed to Adman johnson came on when the oposition were tired for walcott yet he got praised and walcott didnt? Andy Townsend is a real plank when it also comes to commentating.
I also think that the england set up is all wrong. Why play players such as rooney who have showed poor form? Its blatent favouritism. No doubt he will be playing and starting in the next international regardless of his form.
Also didnt you just love the excuse Rooney gave for his form at the world Cup?? ” I was not match fit and was just recovering from imjury.” (Yeah ok then)
But the manager had the choice to take an inform bent zamora and walcott?? hmm.
Rant Over But you get my drift dont ya
KennyG with all respect i think you went too far. I think it’s just jealousy. There is a big problem of jealousy inside the team. It’s something that nobody else has talked about before but the fact is a lot of the players don’t like the status of Theo Walcott in the team. They are jealous of him.
Some players don’t like the status he has in the team and they feel he doesn’t deserve that status compared to what he could do on the pitch or what he did in his career.
This was created by Erikson picking him with playing a single game. Theo will have to prove him self but i think he already did and the sooner the likes of Gerrard and Roony realize that the better. All players must be equal infornt of the coach that’s the case at Arsenal but with Cappelo it’s proven that he goes by names like the Roony, Gerrard, and John terry this has proven to be the wrong approach in the last world cup. I am not talking only about Walcott but Cappello ignores many good players and just goes on with names. That’s Just wrong
your a prick……..such shite…get a job
Maye i have gone to far but i think its the truth.
Why else would players like rooney, Gerard lamprd etc be picked over people with better form?
Your right on the other hand that some people may be jealous of walcott and that the England manager needs to seriously stop licking these established players butts.
He can and should drop rooney cos he is seriously showing poor form and at least put some new talent upfront.
Why not try walcott as a striker???.
One thing i also didnt like was why nobody was passing to walcott i seriously cant understand that can you?
In short i just wanted to say some of the treatment Theo got is really unfair. I think he has a football brain i think he has good speed and good passing abilities, He also has great finishing. But i think he needs to work on his Man to MAN skills and the stand still Situations, Football isn’t always on the run.
I have noticed that in Games where Teams play defence and just sit back like the game with Bulgaria he does struggle because he can’t run at them.
But these are things he can work on it’s totally unfair for a player who does what he dose to say he has no fotball brain.
The way he waits and holds his line so not to get off-side. Some of his passes. And the placs he puts he last pass or intions of the pass is just very very smart.
Theo if you ever read this .. Please work on your MAN on MAN Skills. take some tips from Van persi Arshavin or Clichy. You’re at a great club with great players learn some tricks thats all. ALso be aggressive, don’t be afaird to make mistakes. I’m sure Theo will score againsit the Swiss Becasue they will come attacking.
Cheers
You are reading too much into this the fact is the Bulgaian’s keyed on Glen Johnson as the weak link playing to the left was to ensure that he was not exposed. They also had left biased players since their best player is left sided petrov anyone. More than that as you said he was the decoy in many plays and defenders went closer to him to counter his paceas a result the left side had more time and space.
People, we have to stop talking about Theo as supporters before others leave him alone.
More spotlights and debates on him just add on to his burden. Just like Bale of S***s, he is developing quietly.
So let’s lave Theo alone.
One man to save a country’s football??? That is a silly idea.
Great blog-. Why on earth Rooney is still being picked for England ( let alone dictating to other players) I don’t know after he has proved beyond doubt that he cannot perform in international football at the top level. Beating a third rate weakened team like Bulgaria tells you nothing.
As for Wilshere-Pearce has already decided that he was guilty-of what-I dont know-being out late at night and being 18? Where is there any evidence that he has even transgressed? It is typical of Pearce-who does not possess the wit or balanced judgement to manage any team successfully. England need a proper manager in charge of emerging talent not an idiot Sargeant-Major.
Honestly i have to say though, I want all those assholes who were critizing the to come out now and stick their neck out and say they were and are wrong about them. the so called arsenal “supporters”. Pathetic losers all quite now. Its easier to critise someone than defend them, casue the critic never comes out and admits when they are wrong.
Also I have to agree with KennyG to some extent. It baffles my mind sometimes to hear the amount of criticism the likes of theo, diaby and denilson get from some Arsenal “supporters”. Even when they play well. I think some so called supporters are a bit racist.
I didn’t hear them being critical of Glen Johnson and he had a nightmare ….. I think it’s down to the press having a go at Arsenal and their players …. ok, Theo didn’t set the world on fire with his performance, but nor did half the team, but the media gooner bashing takes precedence once again !
What cack.
Suppporters in general are not racist, infact many of them are from ethnic backgrounds themselves.
Rooney never liked Theo because he felt threatened by him – and rightly so, Theo has got everything Rooney has PLUS he is intelligent, decent looking lad not a fat lumbering shrek-a-like … and he plays for Arsenal whom EVERYBODY knows play the best football in the league.
The media love to attack him, because it provokes a reaction from people who continue the argument making it look like they hit on a relevent point.
Basically Theo is not stupid, far from it – he WILL show everybody why Wenger (and the fans) have such great faith in him. I fully believe this season we will see something near his best – and who knows where he will go from there. He can be our best player in the coming years and score hatfuls of goals too! Go on Theo!!!
Ok Forget the Racial acusations For a minute and lets point out a simple question.
Why is Rooney being picked for England despite his poor form??
Can someone please answer that question to me cos Seriously one Prem goal from a penalty is not exactly the best of form is it?
It’s laughable how the failures that are ‘ Englands elite’ can go unmentioned when the criticism is handed out but Theo is always the whipping boy.
I honestly believe the reason for this is that Arsene Wenger is French. He came along when not too many foreign managers were in England and outshone all of his competitors. He employs mostly French players and this gets right up the noses of the media. Why? I don’t know. Xenophobia? Probably. Now that Le Boss has some genuine English talent coming through in Theo and Jack they don’t know how to take it. How can they appreciate the fine work of a man who is anything but British. And they are right about that, Arsene is anything but British.
When Arsenal regain dominance of the PL with Theo, Aaron and Jack leading the lines, they will all eat their words.
This blog rocks.
AFC forever!
yeah rooney didnt set up all 4 goals he should be dropped
Great player, but hang on Theo did,nt go to the World Cup!
Shaun Wright-Philips went in his place, can,t understand why none of Gooner crowd aint picked up on this fact.
See you soon at St James.
shrek is the biggest flop in world cup hahahaha
Walcott WAS dropped at Anfield for that clown Eboue
the 1st thing i told my mrs when watching the match with her was ” rooney should have passed that ball to walcott but he was waiting to see where defoe was”.
at least i know i am not crazy now, that fat,ugly,gingerbearded,hulk looking,granny shagging cheat is a real CUNT.
Walcotts problem is that he will always be compared to Bale as their careers are so neatly dovetailed. In that context he will always look average. No one claims Walcott is world class but that is what is expetced everytime he pulls on the england shirt. He can do a job for England as a useful squad player, like A darrius Vassell, but not a key player
Wow this post has caused some serious debate, Martin!
I just feel the sooner the Gerrards, Lampards and BArry’s are out of this England set up we can move forward.
They’ll all feature in Euro 2012 but that is the last time. Roll on the next WC when we can get some decent players in like Theo, A Johnson, JET, Lansbury and Wilshere
Theo is definitely better than some of those who failed in SA. At the present form he should start ahead of Rooney. But it will never happen. Not a million years in England. I know for a long time that England will never win any major competition for not willing to change. They are living in their own bubble! The FA need to pay attention to what Germany and Spain are doing.
Great blog and although a couple completely missed the point, most understood what you were saying. On the Walcott issue, Big ernie, Common Sensei and Terry Wogan was spot on, the criticism of Walcott isn’t really about him it’s about AW and the Arsenal. They don’t like us and they don’t like the Manager but it’s all down to jealousy, we play the best brand of ball in England period. That’s because we’ve the best manager and players with the brain and skills to implement what he’s creating.
Arsene Wenger is the greatest manager full stop, there isn’t a better football coach in the land and none of the other so call managers understands economics. The man consistently buys unknowns and turns them into household names, what’s more he pays next to nothing for them, knows when to sell and sells for 200/300% profit.
Spuds just celebrated breaking into the top four as if they won the treble, under that guy (what’s his name again?) whose last club went bankrupt. Hey spud fans, he’s no AW in anyway shape or form, you won’t stay in the top four and what’s more you might just have to sell everyone and everything including the kitchen sink just to stay in business and that’s after being regulated.
That’s England for you!!
Been reading the papers, Did Arsenal sign Theo Walcott for a ridiculous sum of 80 MILLION pounds?
i don’t think so. then why is the press so hard on him for “under performing” with 4 goals in 2 games, and leaving that 80 mil ronaldo for allowing madrid to succumb to a goaless draw alone???
so what if Theo doesn’t live up to expectations? Arsenal only payed 10 mil for him, so did they for Jeffers, and 10 mil in 2002 is more like 15mil of today as the transfer values are all shooting up.
I certainly hope Theo becomes a world beater, and I know that majority of them are pinning their hopes on Theo, which explains their constant disappointment as they see Theo as a very important guy. Wilshere will be huge too.
your an absolute idiot! theo will never make it for england with glen johnson at RB hes a useless defender!
uh, theo wasn’t on the pitch when defoe scored his third goal. adam johnson had already come on and substituted theo as well as scored a goal.
uh, rooney got picked because he’s a damn good footballer. capello made rooney the libero, clearly trying a new concept for the guy. i think rooney played pretty well. he did provide a few assists.
i hate to agree with this article but it is true that walcot has to be dropped. though he is my favourite arsenal player since dixon. on friday england scored as many goals in 10 mins as when theo walcot was o the pitch for much longe.r the game england play isnt suited to theo walcott who needs space to run and hopefully not think! love from africa gooner. ps we should buy Bale and vannde vaart from Spurs and win the league!
He gets criticised because he is crap. He’s got some pace, and all he can do is chase the ball. He can’t take a player on and usually loses it when faced by a decent marker, and his decent cross ratio is terrible!
Typical gooners, he can’t even hold a place in mediocre Arsenal, yet both the manager and supporters think he should play for England.
whoever wrote that blog is an asshole hes only 20yrs old he still has much to learn get ur facts right before u starting talking a pro footballer because i can tell u do not no jack shit about football.
use r talking about rooney being good for england hes done jack shit for england and hes a man utd scumbag thats jus lucky because if he was in spain or italy playing against the big deffenders he wouldnt even score a goal in england they give to much room and there is too many quality defenders if use r saying walcott is crap well i reckon rooney in the same picture
Nani’s nany’s right! Bobad, Emeka and some very asinine pple on here are very talented they can tell a book by its cover … no need to read….lmaooo….just read first, get the point on the article b4 mouthing off!!
At jay-swag i thinks you are the one that needs to read this again so shut up theo walcott is fantastic he is really good you can.he is even now a starter for england so shut your dirty mouth.how does this make sense was he holding their legs in the world cup he didnt even play so talk less of him being at fault.ok mr swaggie how was it his fault any1 who has a point can also answer