It was great to see Theo Walcott finally back on the pitch for Arsenal after a whole year on the sidelines. He was obviously a bit ring-rusty but he got involved and although he wasn’t on top form with his finishing at least he was getting into some good positions.
Perhaps it was lucky that we had very little opposition from Hull, but after playing for 76 minutes yesterday, he will be ready to play a full game against Stoke City next Sunday, and hopefully he will be a bit more alert in front of goal.
Right now Walcott is simply happy to be back on the pitch after such a long lay-off. “I had a lot of chances and it will come, I’m not putting too much pressure on myself,” he said on Arsenal.com. “As long as I’m getting those chances, I’m pleased.
“It’s amazing to be back. Obviously it’s been a whole year now – to the day – and it’s nice to get my first start. It’s nice to blow the cobwebs away.
“Mentally is the main challenge when you’re injured, seeing how you can cope when your team-mates are going out to train and you’re the only one in the treatment room. Or when you do your rehab the whole summer and everyone’s at the World Cup. It’s difficult like that.
“I had a lot of personal things in my life that went on, so it just took my mind off things and gave me an opportunity to build on something and work on something, and I’m better for it.”
Theo is also happy to be playing with our new star Alexis Sanchez, and is looking forward to building up a productive partnership in the future. “He’s a special player so it’s nice to get on the pitch with him, finally,” Walcott continued. “I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of appearances for him and me together.
“We were fairly comfortable. I think Hull came here with a gameplan, they passed the ball very well but in the end it was a good, comfortable 2-0 win.”
Great to have you back Theo. I fervently wish you a prosperous New Year with Arsenal, and PLEASE stay fit until the end of the season…..
OG Theo and Alexis are all capable of putting in 20 goals. Add Ozil to the mix and you have a great attack.
Then replace Mesut with Santi after 60mins. Reverse this procedure in the next match. Do not play either of them on the wings but give them the freedom to drift out there to combine with a winger or attacking full back as and when they see fit. These guys are intelligent! Mesut, especially, is used to this procedure.
Welbeck
Campbell Sanchez Walcott
Coquelin OX
Pace and more PACE!!!
It was good to see Theo playing again. Obviously rusty, but give him a few more games and he’ll be ready to go again.
If you want more pace use Bellerin. Didn’t he beat Walcott’s 100m record (maybe it was someone else)
When last did we see an Arsenal player running behind the opposition defence? We missed you Theo. Great to have you back.
Opss, sorry for thumb Down.
My finger want to move fast and press the wrong button.
Glad to have you back Theo.
For Stoke
Giroud (has his suspension finished?)
Walcott……..Ozil………Sanchez
………..Rosicky…….Coquelin
Debuchy…Mertsacker…Koscielny…Gibbs
…………………Ospina
If Wenger plays Ozil on the Wing, then I shall scream.
0zil coming from the bench @ 70 minutes swap Cazorla.
Hope he hits his “peak” very soon! Coyg!
Was very glad to see our “speed merchant” back on the pitch! Coyg!
I think we’re either going to sign Reid or Perrin. Personally I don’t see what all the hype is about Reid, I do not really want him at our club unless there is not an alternative… Perrin however is proven quality, although of course I would prefer Hummels or Ramos I think Perrin is a good and realistic temporary solution, until we can buy a good defender on the Summer.
Great to see theo back. For me hes the most missed player, even more than ozil/kos. He offers that extra movement and pace behind the defence nobody else in arsenal can provide. A fit and in form theo should see us do very well for 2015. COYG
OT – Admin, some words on here are now turning up blue with links so have you signed up with the ad people Clicksor or have I got a bug on my computer. Thanks.
u’ve got a virus
Don’t no why AW wants all the players looking like supermodles. They look like size 6. Back in the day tony Adams and co well they were men not boys. And yes great having TW back he look quite sharp but I would not play him at Stoke
lets play the top 3 speedster all in the same team
Belerin
Akomp
Walcott
We are in the midst of a difficult season and we can afford to drop any more points waiting for Walcott to get back to his best. It better for him to continue coming as a sub rather than to have him wasting good opportunities and giving excuses that he is still rusty. Remember we already lost a lot of points playing Wilshere to get him back to his best something that never materialised.The best 11 must play .