Five years ago the Gunners trio of Walcott, Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain were hailed as the future of British football, (along with Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs who hardly kicked a ball between them last season) but last season the three were extremely disappointing for Arsenal.
Theo Walcott was given his wish to play as centre-forward but his performances were hardly awe-inspiring. And by the end of the season he became practically anonymous, so much so that we may as well only have had ten players on the pitch. Five League goals proved he was not our solution to our striking problems.
Aaron Ramsey started the season on the right wing, and again he told Wenger that he wanted to play down the centre. He got his wish when Cazorla and Coquelin went to the treatment room, but it was obvious to fans that he could not hold a patch to the silky skills of our little Santi.
The Ox started the season well, scoring the winner in the Community Shield against Chelsea, but ended up making just 9 starts and 13 as sub in the League, scoring just one more goal in the whole season.
How could all three players have become rubbish in such a short space of time? Ramsey’s performances at the Euro’s has shown us that he still has the heart and the ability to lead his country to glory, whereas both the Ox and Walcott didn’t even earn a place in the England squad. But why has their form and confidence dropped so low for Arsenal? Maybe they could have impressed like Ramsey if they had been given a chance for their country-
This is why this is such an enigma to me. Three such promising players, turning to sludge in a season where Arsenal could easily have won the League. What could be the reason for their downfall? And why do we still live in hope that they will improve next season?
Darren