noone ever critises wenger. All we hear about is his 'bargain buys' but people forget the big-money flops like Reyes, Jeffers & Walcott.

Yeah, Ade is a similar speed to Theirry was in his peak, maybe even faster? Not too slow tbh and Hleb is deceptively fast too.

People like yourself can ruin players like this , you forget the boy is only just old enough to buy a pint of beer most people of his age are still at school or uni, he was never bought for an instant impact , someone to watch for the future if he was playing for some one like everton or villa he would probably look a class act , wit so much talent around you its probably harder to make such an impression.

no seriously this is a terrible article. he hasn't played well recently. HES 18! wengers playing him on the right so he learns that game from a wingers perspective. when he moves into the centre and takes up a more henry like position he'll be fine i.e. carling cup final, chapions league 7-0.

Bendtner Clumsy? You're talking rubbish.

What ever trevor, Theo will shine soon, all we hear is fellow players who have played with him say nothing but good words

"Bendtner’s clumsiness still unresolved." ... Did you choose words at random from a dictionary when writing this "piece"?

"Big money flops" first off Reyes was not a a flops but just a wuss who couldn't deal with the weather and missed his mom. Ande we paid 10 million for him with incentive to reach 18 but it never did since he did not reach those. Silvain Wiltord is still our record transfer fo 11 million pounds. I will give you Jeffers, Walcott is only 18 so you guys are fool back and let the kid develop. Not every great player is a world Star at 18. Zizou was not the player we came to love at 18, nor was Van Basten, Gullit etc. Plus if you add what we pay for these 3 players you mentioned it is still less than Man U paid for Veron, Chelsea paid for Shevchenko. Not a big deal if you ask me.

Theo is only 18, hes one for the future, every player needs a consistent run in the team to get to top form, why would it be any different with theo? Look at fabregas, since his injury he's been average, so does that mean he's a failure?? It's people like you that i hate with a passion, instead of wining, get behind the team and players!!!

How can you say that ade and rosicky dont have speed. Do you watch any arsenal games?

Yeah in a few years he will play like he did against steaua bucarest nearly every game if he gets a chance.

Don't waste your time responding to this article from this complete idiot! You just need to look at what he has posted in the past that he has no allegiance to Arsenal and only writes what he sees on TV. He's based in Singapore for f**ks sake!

He's getting worse every game - get rid now before he turns into Jeffers MkII...

Walcott just reminds me of Kieron Dyer, skilled, fast, lots of hope, but no real achievement as a person and no much benefit 2 the Club/Fans. He has to control his speed and enthusiasm 2 avoid constant injuries.

Walcott is not lacking in confidence, passion, or determination. I don't know which moronic section of the media has convinced you Theo was 'the finished article' when we signed him from Southampton. I'll admit he lacks slightly in confidence as shown by the amount of times he set up goals for everyone else last season and this season rather than taking it on himself, but you can't question his passion. He's scored 4 goals now for Arsenal, if you've seen any of them and seen his celebrations you would not be questioning his passion and commitment. Van persie and Adebayor can beat the majority of cente backs in a striaght sprint, Ade is majestic in the air and van persie has a deadly finish, neither are intended to be speedy strikers. Hleb isn't the fasted, but I recall last season at the Emirates Rosicky ran at least 60 yards, catching up to fully sprinting Ronaldo and dispossessing him. Not many players can do that. Speed isn't as important as you make out; I'm sure the team that won the premier League

I for one totally agree with you. Walcott's technique should be another cause for concern for Wenger. His general ball control is quite poor and his passing and crossing is very erratic. He has a long long way to go.

ANY 18 YEAR OLD SHOULD SHOW PASSION PLYING A GAME FOR ARSENAL.LOOK AT THE FAB'S EYES AND COMPARETO WALCOTT'S EYES.WHERE IS THE DETERMINATION? YOU ARE 18 NOT 40 FIGHT FOR YOUR XI

Perhaps there has just been too much hype over Walcott. Perhaps we're expecting Walcott to make the same kind of impact Rooney or Fabregas did at that age. Perhaps Sven bringing him to the World Cup has placed too much of a burden on this young lad's shoulders. I think it's still too early to be pulling out the guns and calling him a flop. He still has plenty of time on his side and even more to learn and has showed improvement this season.

ARSENAL ARRE THE FASTEST TEAM IN THE EPL. Arsenal Back FOUR CAN OUTRUN ANY TEAM in EPL. SO once you find any players than are faster than our back four please help me find these players. So we dont even need to bring the midfielders or forwrds into play because nobody in the epl can even cath our defenders. Your article STINKS by the way. Whats wrong with THEO plain to see. POOR DECISION MAKING = being 18 years old. Not very hard to figure out.

This article was obviously written by Sir Alex Ferguson. First tipping off big eck on tactics and now dissing young Arsenal players. You sly old dog!!!

You hit it right the on the head. I believe this chap should not be playing for Arsenal.He is just not good enough and yes i watched him against Birmingham and mnot on one occassion did hhe keep the ball. He just kept losing it everytime. My verdit is ship him off to Birmingham.

What an utter pile of tripe. Theo Walcott is EIGHTEEN years of age. As for him being "the finished article" when he signed, that is a complete joke. How many 16 year olds know the game inside out and don't need to learn anything? None. And as for Walcott being a big money flop, he was signed for an initial £5m raising to a potential £12m [according to Wikipedia]. £5m for an English talent is standard price, and the rest is based on personal and team achievements, so the risk is minimized for Arsenal. So Walcott has been playing a completely new position on the right wing, he's 18 years of age, he's never had an extended run in the side; and yet he's expected to be doing what Henry used to do. I don't hear anyone complaining about the other Arsenal youngsters that have been decidedly below par and equally as bad as Walcott this season (Diaby, Djourou to name but two.) But wait! The ludicrous English media hasn't been hyping these two players because their hopes aren't pinned on them to revive a nation who

I think it's about time Theo got a good run out as striker. Lets see what he can do, I think if he puts a couple of goals away he'll be off to flyer

Theo is but 18, he will not be the real deal for at least 12 months maybe more. Remember Anelka at Theo's age? Come on Theo we are all with you!

[quote]Theo is but 18, he will not be the real deal for at least 12 months maybe more. Remember Anelka at Theo's age? Come on Theo we are all with you![/quote] I agree Theo is very young to be called a flop, i would wait another 3 years to call him a flop if his performances remain the same, much like Owen at 17 to 24 he was the same player. but obviously you dont remember Anelka at 18

Yes, Theo is young. Yes, Theo needs a chance. But when you start, you are suppose to be good enough. The EPL is not a University for you to learn and make mistakes. Its a battlefield to bleed and win wars. You play badly, you let your team down. Then you force your team mates to play with 10 men while you are "learning". If only people like Birmingham was so forgiving as to allow Theo a chance. Instead he played like crap and they took 2 points off us. Now we are 2nd when we should be still 2 points clear. Thats what forgiving an 18 years old and allowing him room to develop means. Hell, man. When you pull on a shirt and play, you BETTER BE READY TO GIVE ALL. whether you are 18 or 40 fact is you are in the starting 11 and there are 10 others around you that depend on you brining it to win it. They dont have time to carry you.

Is it Chelsea's way of buying players that you wanted, Jon? The problem with Arsenal is the grooming of youngsters rather to compete in the open market for established stars, something that I'm quite happy to live with. Don't forget that we were not given a damn chance even to finish in the Top4. These lads have improved albeit naive mentally. Look at Liverpool & Chelski, they have seasoned players but does that mean they'll be tops come May? A setback is always a good platform to learn. Though I'm no big fan of Theo, but a defence that allowed a free header ought to be blamed.

I was really saddened that Arsene did not accept Anelka back into Arsenal despite the French International's unconcealed desire to be a prodigal son of Arsenal and lead our attack. There is always this very romantic feeling of an ex-player coming back to serve...

what about Aaron Lennon is 20 and he couldn't get pass Armand Traore a 18 year old left back that is on the subs bench for arsenal and walcott is 18 give him 2 years and he will be a great player for england and arsenal

Adebayor is one of the quickest players at Arsenal. Get your facts right rookie

[quote]what about Aaron Lennon is 20 and he couldn't get pass Armand Traore a 18 year old left back that is on the subs bench for arsenal and walcott is 18 give him 2 years and he will be a great player for england and arsenal [/quote] You made a good example of an 18 year old playing well, and Walcott at 18 playing crap

Just goes to show you that if you repeat the lie enough times people will start to believe it. Theo Walcott hardly played as a striker at all last season; yet as a winger/mid with FAR fewer minutes on the pitch than most of the team he had a whopping SEVEN assists! More assists than either of the starting midfielders, Hleb or Rosicky, had all season. In fact the only players with more assists on the entire team was Fabregas and RVP. Nevertheless he was derided for having a "poor season".

The problem with Walcott is he is not confident of his abilities and is not strong enough to compete with the tightest of the defences in the world. He showed glimpses of talent against Sunderland and Slavia but we are not getting consistent stuff from him. Wenger needs to do some magic with Walcott as he did with Flamini :)

he is still 18!! he also has alot of pressure on him witch makes it even harder for him!! I cnt believe people are already saying he is a flop... its ridiculas. Last time Henry had two bad games in a row were u saying hes a flop??? NO!!!He hasnt had many starts and isnt being played in his favored position, up-front. Look at the Salvia game... the first time he starts up-front and he scores 2 goals... not bad if u ask me! AND what are u talking about "Bendtner's clumsines"??? he was a cit clumsy at the start of the season but he has improved immensely since... you have to clue what youre talking about!! Bendtner also only 19!!!

I remember two years back, when Hleb got caught in possesion everytime he tried to run with the ball. Even when he tried to control the ball with one foot and pass it with the other (the simple things)he would get caught in possesion and look as though he was grossly out of his depth. Now he has made all of those mistakes and learnt from them and has benefitted from the managers confidence in him, we all think he is a genious. It all takes time. Flamini is the same. Two years ago many said Mattiew would never blossum into what Wenger had immagined when signing him. But, guess what, he has, it just took a bit of time. Theo has the ambition to run with the ball, take players on, challenge the last line of the oppositions defence. Wenger knows how rare and dangerous that is. Theo is not achieving what he sets out to achieve everytime he puts on the Arsenal shirt just yet, but because I am not an idiot like this articles author, I know it will happen one day. It just takes a little time and patience for us to se

I tend to agree with some of the negative comments about Walcott? He had a poor performance against Birmingham, and also in previous league games. He hasn't really made any significant progress beyond the 16 year old boy who arrived at Arsenal? He is throwing away his opportunity to shine. There are other Arsenal players waiting for their opportunity like Traore, and Randall? Just like Arsenal might have handed the Premiership to Man U, Walcott is handing his opportunity to one of the other young Arsenal players.

All arsenal keep saying....ooohh he's eighteen etc. but think of the players that have actually done things at that age, owen, rooney, ronaldo, robinho, messi...you could go on all day, potential is nothing without developing it, and i reckon wenger should get the blame, loan him out, let the lad get some games.

Wenger gave Flamini time and look at him now, give the the kid a break he'll come good

why cant the Lionel and Oscar r Baitwe use their head for little bit of reasoning.Walcott will definately come good only if lunatics like the author,Lionel and the Baitwe of wishing world leave him alone. the boy is in safe hands and at the most perfect place but the English media are going to ruin him if they are not hit on the head

Such short memories. Henry when he came to Highbury at an older age than Walcott could not hit a barn door in his first season and most of the second while playing practically all the games. Walcott is not a wide player but a striker Wenger knows what he is doing and how to handle talent so don't be so criticle of Walcott and don't be so shallow In a season's time you will be singing Walcott's praises Look how long it has taken Van the man to do the business and Hleb and so on. We at Arseanl are more blessed or lets say spoilt for young talent than any other club

walcott is a good player because he can help he very fast and he just have to try shoot better he is good........ and arsenal should bye another player now.........wallcott will be good soon when i see him he getting better give wallcot more time he get better........

Hell with all this Theo's is only 18 garbage. If he ain't ready, then leave him out till he is! Article is spot on. I am a die-hard Arsenal fan but it doesn't i'm blind or that Arsene does not make mistakes. Time will tell if Theo turns out to be another one but I strongly suspect he will. At this point, when he plays, we are a man less. If someone out there takes this to mean i'm not really an Arsenal supporter, then you're missing the point.

not too many 18 yr olds have been to woeld cup,got a senior cap, played champions league and scored goals in league cup, champions league and premier league. Appeared in Carling Cup final and playing in a team who are challenging foe a title with 16 games to go. Like i said you be hard pressed to find another english 18 yr with that kind of experiencing. so stop giving the boy a hard time - he aint know wayne rooney thats for sure

Its easy to see that when Wenger decided to pay all that money for a striker from Southampton he really did get it wrong, anyone know the name Kenwyne Jones? Walcott might have shown some promise in the Championship whilst at Southampton and whilst in the under 18 England squad, but it really is difficult to understand at the moment how Southampton managed to demand such a transfer fee for a player who has failed to show any further progress in development. Take your minds back to Michael Owen when he was the same age and remember the reputation he had already gained for terrorising defences, they are two players who have been compared as similar, however one continued to be prolific for many years, the other has failed to live up to the hype. As for Reyes, for those who don't recognise he was a flop are you getting him confused with someone else? as for his inability to stay on his feet, it was more to do with the diving part of his game than lack of strength.

18 and lots of potential. Someday you believe he will be a star. Meanwhile, EVERYBODY who has written in acknowledges he isnt the finished article yet. So if Arsene listened to all of you and played Theo, Arsenal will be playing with 10 men and one apprentice and leaking 2 points against teams like Birmingham while Man U scores 6 against Toon. What are you all taking about! Its the here and now that wins games. Arsene gave up last season to develop his team. Those that made it are shining today. Those that didnt include Theo. He's failed the grade and needs to go back to the lower classes and be loaned out. Theo...step aside. People like Randall and Gibbs (who are both british) deserve your place even if their hype isnt half of what yours is...maybe because of that thy may even turn out better

Actually I think we all expect too much from Theo because we all want him to succeed as an Englishman in Arsene's foreign team. But I do thik that Theo has a tendency to fade in games and it doesnt help especially when its late in a game you need to win (eg v Chelsea in the CC Final, Birmingham etc). But where he excells is as a sub coming into a game late. Maybe thats where Arsene should play him. Not at the start for now, but as a super-sub.

Well that's it then, because we cannot beat Birmingham or Pompey we are out of the title challenge! I felt that we should have won against the Brummies but our problems are not in attack but believing that we have a sound defence. William Gallas works his socks off and Almunia is a good shot stopper but no where good enough to take Seaman's place. Jens is better but a bit eccentric. Almunia makes schoolboy errors but makes up for them by pulling out a top draw save. Our Attack will come good, we will just have to wait. For crying out loud we are still second and the pundits had us written before the season kicked off. we are still in all competitions so that can't be too bad, can it?

Just to put the record straight passion less and heart less Theo may be quick but he is not the quickest in the current squad. From a standing start in football boots Emmanuel Adebayor is the fastest player we have.

Lots of different opinions which means it is an argument worth bringing up.My own view is that he is not ready yet and,if anything Wenger is playing him more than he should because his confidence seems to be low.Sure he is very quick but there are times when you do not have to operate at breakneck speed and he needs to calm down a bit until the situation is right to use his pace. Also,although it seems to have upset a few I think the writer is spot on in describing Bendtner as clumsy(cumbersome and no way ready for a regular starting place are other descriptions that apply).

Shut up all of you slaging Theo of; remember Arsene Knows and Theo must be doing something right in training to get starts. This season I think he has only started one game upfront before last and what did he do in that? Yeah right, he scored two in that game. You can't expect from even the best to just start teo games in HIS OWN POSITION and score goal in each.

No one hates Walcott but if we have to win something this season then he's not the one to depend on as most of you guys are saying he needs more two years. For now a fit Hleb and Rosicky should be obvious starters in must win matches. Walcott's biggest weakness is too much confidence that that makes him to over-possess the ball and eventually looses it. He is yet to learn that Arsenal play Passess (one-two touches).

Young Walcott is receiving alot of negative comments from fans who are slowly beginning to form an unfavourable opinion of him. The Arsenal organization should take a low key approach with this player because he has become the scapegoat for the failings of the team. Allow one of the other younger Arsenal players the opportunity to play in the first team, this will divert fans and media attention away from Walcott.

Walcott is well over confident this is why he makes mistakes because he wants to do it all himself when sometimes he cant, he would improve alot if he just passes the ball more often, Zidan didnt make his name by doing it all himself but by involving his team mates in all the build up play

in sprint tests, before TH left, the fastest player in the squad over 25 yards was - Gael Clichy. WAY quicker than Ade, who has pace, but not like clichy, or walcott. TW will come good - his assists justify his appearances, yes he is not the finished article, just like clichy, traore, etc etc. I agree his form is not top drawer the last couple a games ... but are u saying he's been as bad as Gilberto? When this boy comes good, hes gonna be a world beater - to do that, he needs to play - someone made a great analogy with TH's first 2 seasons, which I watched a lot of and agree 100%. So, Arsene: - play TW when you can, and wait for the moment u know is coming - ARSENE KNOWS

is exactly why the kid's subjected to so much unnecessary pressure! I'm not blaming his poor performances on over-demanding comments like yours. But not every 18-year-old could be like Cesc or Bendtner, full of confidence, at that age. It's only fair if we cut him some slack (and limelight) and let him keep learning, and if he still failed at like mid-20s, only then do we write him off. If we keep criticising a kid as if he were an established player, he can't get better and that becomes a sad self-fulfilling prophecy. If that's what you English want from an English kid you guys so want to see do well, I don't know what to say.

Terrible article. Kneejerk reaction. If it was not for Walcott, we would have lost in the match against the Spuds. Give the boy time.

he is 18 or something like that and you altready think he is a failure? shocker!

adebayor is the second fastest player over 40-yeards at arsenal (after traore). he looks slower than he is cos he's so lanky.

Even as a Spurs fans I have to say this really is quite a poor piece IMHO. I don't think he was supposed to be the finished article on arrival at Arsenal. The other thing is that he's playing at a good club where it's surely going to be harder to force your way in. The only thing I would say is that the longer he takes to make an impact at Arsenal, the less chance he has of cracking the first team regularly. Wenger clearly has a track record for not fancying players when the time comes. Most likely Theo Walcott will never be first team there. The fact that Man Utd and Chelsea weren't in for him also makes you woinder how fancied he is really and whether Arsenal made a mistake trying to find a Rooney style player to show the club had some ambition in the English player market. If you look at a player like Gareth Bale, he was another well rated youth. He was chased by Man Utd but went to Spurs to play before probably moving on to bigger things when he's got some experience. Let's hope Wenger doesn't wa

Bet you feel real stubid right now!