Theo Walcott, Wenger and Arsenal’s “pretty football”
Being a United fan, it galls me to hear neutrals describe Arsenal as the team that plays the most beautiful football. It is at once effective and attractive in its simplicity, and yet pulling it off is difficult enough that there really can be only one Wenger, and only one Arsenal.
But when you see 17 year olds like Theo Walcott come to Arsenal and have the world comparing them to Thierry Henry, you know that in Wenger Arsenal have someone special. In the last 10 years no one can doubt that Arsenal have been transformed into a European heavyweight only because of the oversight of the Frenchman. And not only Arsenal…Wenger’s influence, like that of Ferguson, extends to the Premiership and he has played his part in changing the way football was played there.
Here’s a look at Theo Walcott (when is he going to start playing more regularly for Arsenal?) in action for England U21 - his two goals helped seal a 3-0 aggregate win over Germany U21 and helped them qualify for the U21 championships next year.
Arsenal’s Theo Walcott scores his second goal of the game
England U21 vs Germany U21 - Match Highlights
Match Reports
- Walcott Brace sinks Germans (Sky Sports)
- Two-goal Theo Walcott waltzes through Germans (Arsenal News Review)
- Arsenal need Walcott in Porto
- Football News Roundup - October 14
- Can Arsenal’s Theo Walcott be the next Thierry Henry?
- How will Arsenal fare without Wenger?
- How Arsenal can beat Chelsea
Discussion - 2 Responses
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Finally! Walcott comes off the bench for England in Germany and shows the world what he can do! Unfortunatley, it’s 4 months too late! Saw the game last night, a very tough game for the England boys, and they came out stronger and better prepared for the trip to Holland next summer.
It was a masterstroke from Peter Taylor (who surely has to be given the job full time now!!) to unleash Walcott, on a tired German defence, when the German coach took off a defender for an attacking midfielder. It opened up the space for Walcott and he tore the tired defence apart. His second goal could quite easily have been Henry at full pelt. Such composure from a young lad, who could easily play for the Under-21s for another 6 years! It won’t be long now until he regains his place in the full England squad. It all puts another huge question mark over Eriksson’s decision not to use Walcott in Germany when we looked so shambolic. Everyone saw what Aaron Lennon did when he had his few minutes on the pitch, Walcott could have easily sepped on the pitch against T&T or Ecuador.
2 great goals from Walcott, and a good performance from England over the 2 legs. Looking forward to seeing them line up against Europe’s best next summer. May even be more interesting than the seniors!?!?
One bonus thoughm, if they do get knocked out early at least they can drown their sorrows in the lovely capital, Amseterdam!
Lets see how he plays aginst top teams like Holland and Italy in U21