What’s Up With Theo?

Yeah, I wish I knew what was wrong too

I have to admit to having a fascination with Theo Walcott. Why? Well, it’s clearly evident that Theo has something. What that is and whether or not it will be fully realized is another thing.

Theo has both his detractors and supporters. I think I come in somewhere between the two. When he plays like he did against Barca and the goal he scored in the first leg of the Champion’s League or his hat-trick against Croatia, he is absolutelydeserving of the praise.

On the other hand when he continues to not show football knowledge on the pitch and and keeps shooting his dribblers wide of the net – especially when he has the run of the pitch and can burn the defenders it is frustratingly annoying.

In fairness to the lad he has been laden with injuries.  His 2009/2010 campaign was more a fit of stops and starts and he got no chance at consistent play. That hurt his club form and it eventually caught up to him and stopped him from featuring on the national side for the World Cup. (Frankly watching the performance of the England team – he is probably happier for it.)

In an interview with Arsenal TV Online Theo had this to say about his injuries:

“Last season was a disappointment, personally, with the amount of injuries I have had,” Walcott said.
 
“I will just be trying to concentrate on having a better season than last year, because it was a disappointment not to play as much as I wanted to,” he added later.

Personally, I think one of the biggest reasons Theo has so many detractors is he is a vicitim of the hype machine that built him up. The worst thing that could happen to Theo is that he was selected for the 2006 Cup team by Sven Goran Ericsson. That was a huge mistake. Sure, prior to signing with Arsenal, Theo was tearing up the ppitch when he played for Southampton.

In 2005, Theo made his full first team debut against Leeds United scoring in the same game. 4 days later against Millwall he scored yet again. Then on his home debut against Stoke City, he would score again. He did so well that first season for Southampton he was named as one of three finalist for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2005.

Theo was such a highly touted prospect that no less than Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelse and Spurs wanted to sign him.  Besides Wenger there are two other great managers who touted Theo’s talents – Sir Alex and Jose. Wenger was no fool in bringing the lad in.  But when it came to it, Southampton took the deal from Arsenal.

The signing and his past success are probably what drove Sven to pick Theo over the likes of Darren Bent. And even though Theo did play in some pre-tournament friendlies he did not play in the tournament. Sven says he kept on the bench so the experience would benefit him in future tournaments. Personally I think Sven thought as talented as the boy is he wasn’t ready for this.

Still the table was set – from 2006 on, high expectations were set for Theo. But 4 years on has he siffered because of the expectations – unfair or not. Theo is at the age where he should be realising his talent. Coming into his own. But because of the expectations, I wonder if Arsene, his coacing staff and the player have done him a disservice.  Arsene and his coacing staff may have played the boy too soon in some games. The player, may have tried to do too much to live up to his expecations. Who knows. either way, Theo has failed to impress – consistently.

We head into the 2010/2011 season with a lot of questions still unanswered about our team this year. Will Cesc be here or not is the biggest. Who will our keeper be? How better will our denfence be?  Theo is definitely a question mark as well. Will he stay healthy enough to develop some consistent form? Will he understand how to use his speed and score rather than just using his speed. There are many more.

Without the hassle of the World Cup or event he U21 tournaments Theo has had a quiet off-season. He should be well rested for the season and hopefully can come through the pre-season without any scratches. I really want Theo to do well. It benefits so many – none more than Arsenal and Theo himself.