Jack The Lad Rolls Back The Years
Sep 28th, 2017 by 'holic
An hour after the match has finished I am trying to retrieve the details of a contest I would normally have written up in real time. I have the disadvantage of a full tank of Guinness, courtesy of a very special manager’s leaving drinks, but the advantage of a sobering kebab roll. Kebabs really should be available on the National Health Service.
The little gathering was conveniently hosted in my local, with a big screen on one wall and an empty table right in front of it. At times it felt like I was playing, and to be fair in the first hour my presence would not have detracted from Arsenal’s performance as Jack Wilshere and his apprentices led the hosts a merry dance. Theo Walcott was the main beneficiary of Wilshere’s genius.
Set up for the first time Theo could only strike the post but when Jack repeated the invite the chance was snapped up by a grateful Walcott. Just nine minutes in we had the dream start. Theo doubled the advantage before the midpoint of the half when Bate goalkeeper Scherbitski (no relation to Bernie Winters’ dog – Google it if you’re young) passed the ball inexplicably to the England winger who happily secured his brace.
Three minutes later it was three. Rob Holding the unexpected scorer when Per Mertesacker’s glancing header from a corner was shinned over the line by his young partner in defence for his first competitive Gunners goal. At this point the question was not if Arsenal would win, but by how many. But, Arsenal being Arsenal…
Just three minutes further in we were caught cold and Ivanic arrived unmarked into the box to head the ball through the arms of David Ospina. At last the home support had something to cheer and they took full advantage of the fact. It was a rare foray into Gunners territory and we attempted to fashion a response with youngsters Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, and Joe Willock catching the eye with Wilshere.
Theo Walcott saw his hat-trick attempt tipped past the post for a corner and Holding, his appetite for goalscoring awoken, struck a post. Quite how were were only 1-3 to the good at the half was something of a mystery. It didn’t take long in the second-half to restore the three goal advantage. An unusual penalty award gave Olivier Giroud the chance to score his one hundredth goal for the Gunners. Afterwards Theo revealed he had let the Frenchman have the spot-kick to reach his milestone. That should have been it, but Arsenal being Arsenal…
We did appear to run out of steam around the hour mark. Not that surprising really when you consider the make-up of the team, but midway through the half the gap was reduced when a series of defensive errors allowed Gordeichuk to smash home Bate’s second from close range. All of a sudden we were disjointed and lacking our earlier drive and cohesion. The hosts had a great chance to get within a goal of us but thankfully Volodko was off target and we managed to see the game out rather more nervously than necessary.
There is a danger of being rather too critical of a performance when a squad team has won an away match in Europe by four goals to two. We took a gamble on the strength of team to play in Belarus and in the cold light of day we will regard that as a risk worth taking and well managed. The team that takes the field against Brighton on Sunday lunchtime will be better prepared and more confident as a result. The club is on a roll again. Five wins, and a draw at Chelsea, since the Liverpool debacle.
The manager will be feeling a mixture of relief and satisfaction that his teams have settled into a good run, for now. He will also be aware the expectation is that they continue that sequence. Roll on Sunday.
83 Responses to “Jack The Lad Rolls Back The Years”
HI De Hi H
A good squad win deep in the forest.
On to Brighton.
? ‘hol
Just seen footage of Ben Stokes poleaxing another guy in street brawl.
Very very lucky he didn’t suffer head injuries when he hit the ground.
Don’t see how Stokes can not be charged with assault.
Not a good look when you are representing your Country.
Fine report Guvna. You function well through a dark veil of Guinness. Very much as I saw it.
As one who felt that a team with so many young lads out of position in key positions would struggle against a CL regular in eastern Europe, I am over the moon with both performance and result.
Our young lads did us proud and LJW took another big step back towards his former level, albeit all ran out of steam around the hour mark. I thought Ospina should have saved the first goal and done better on the second one but that’s a minor carp given that he made a couple of good saves as well and we won the game despite those blemishes.
Great result and another couple of decent performances and wins should see us through to draw Bayern Munich in the knock out phase.
Clive,
You are right that is a serious assault.
He will be very lucky not to get a suspended sentence
But they let convicts into Oz.
Delighted for LJW. That’s a good report when well Guinnessed up Holic ! You didn’t fall asleep at any stage. The club is on a better run but then we usually do pick up every season after a bad start. I hope LJW can get back into the team. He is a very fine player at his best- in fact his best is yet to come!
Is this the same Wilshere who could barely make Bournemouth’s starting XI during his loan spell? He reminded more of that young tyro who promised so much as a teenager before injuries slowed him down. Welcome back Jack.
Otherwise, typical Arsenal. Have the match won in the first 30 minutes, then snooze for the next 30 and end up under siege for the final third. No killer instincts whatsoever.
It’s all very well calling Theo rubbish, countryman, but at least he did his job showing how much more effective he is in the early going when he has room to move, rather than in the final ten or 15 minutes when the bus has been parked. And he got zero service from anyone but Jack in the second half when the midfield youngsters lost the plot and El Niño his steam.
Not that I blame anyone in particular. There were some bright moments from the kids and some okay defence at times – considering how unsuited most of them are to playing in a back 3 format.
Congrats to Ollie for his ton, and for Theo not exercising his penalty rights to secure a hat-trick. Although how he didn’t get one anyway reflects the general malaise that took over after getting to 3-0.
Another bloody curate’s egg basically.
It doesn’t look good but let’s wait and see what Stokes has to say in his defence before outright condemnation. Video can be deceptive in isolation. Not that he should even be out at that hour in the middle of a series, let alone getting involved in brawling, whatever the provocation.
He was rubbish second half Chris and I praised him for his finish for goal 2 when the keeper passed it to him (his first was all Jack). Even then the easier pass was to Giroud in front of an empty net. In the second half he selfishly butchered chance after chance when he could have played team mates in easily (I remember clear chances for Jack and AMN to be played in and there were others. I stand by my view.
7
yawn
?
the jerkier the internet knee’s reaction the better
The easier pass? He’s a natural striker and rightly goes for goal when he sees the opportunity. One of our problems in recent years has been the apparent desire to walk the ball into the net rather than smack it in. On this occasion he saw the same empty net you mention and neatly slotted the ball through the defender’s legs into it. As for the ‘clear chances’ you saw for others in the second half I stand by my view that he’s right to exercise the prerogative of a striker when in range.
Also worth a mention is the quality of the corners Theo delivered compared to regular taker Ozil’s inability to get the ball over the first defender. A breath of fresh air there.
Chris we’re going to have to leave it there lest we fall out. I thought his corners were pony compared to Ozil’s and I completely disagree about his “prerogative” to go for the low % option.
Very happy to keep him in the cup team and away from the league side.
It’s lunchtime in NZ and after midnight here.
Night all.
Night countryman. 😀
At least the cup team is unbeaten…
Re: bath @4. Are they taking bets yet on whether we will face Bayern in the knock out phase? If so I am on it. Fate could not dictate otherwise.
Everton’s Cypriot opponents deployed quite an innovative come-from-behind strategy to secure a 2-2 draw: An 86th minute red card followed two minutes later by the equalising goal as Everton’s concentration lapsed. Some of the psychological factors at work in the second half of our game were not dissimilar, one would think, but fortunately we started out with a three goal margin that not even we could manage to let get away.
The Borisov keeper merits a bouquet of roses for Theo’s second, and the referee another bouquet for calling the penalty. Otherwise I wonder what the score could have been.
A great example of what dedication, commitment and willingness to learn can do … this is a fantastic achievement by itself, but especially so for a late bloomer who had his Arsenal career written off so many times. Congratulations!
https://youtu.be/zn8CVQXagxQ
Point taken, bt8, but I wonder what the score could have been if all the chances we made had netted. 🙂
Thanks for that montage of the Giroud 100, DF. Many wonderful goals scored by a man with a well developed nose for the net. I would like nothing better than to see him back in the goals for many more.
It is pure speculation on my part, Chris, not having watched the game. Glad to hear we are creating the chances without Ozil in the team.
Theo had already hit the post before scoring, bt8, and had another saved, all in the first half. Plus others could have scored. If we’d been the Chavs or $iteh the score would have been nearer 6-0 by half time. Problem was they thought they could score at will, so started cruising. As a result there was a virtual disconnect between the front 3 and the midfield for most of the second half.
Cheers H! Loved that first goal.
Bernie Winters and Schnorbitz reference – Genuis!
We had 3 or 4 kids and some older
players who looked a bit rusty.
They did great to get the win.
Large brandies all round on the
plane home – although Nelson
might have to lie about his age.
Or hope the attendant turns a
blind eye.
Pleased for OG – I was in England
and saw his first couple of games.
Certainly didn’t think he’d get a
100 at the time but he’s really
got better. Well done him.
Cheers H.
I think the NHS already has a doner system.
I am surprised that the kebab was so good that you would prefer it to a roast though. The last line is a dinner plan, right?
Walcott is a very decent “one half” player – ie: does the job in the first half and fades badly in the second – when the job in question is a couple of goals on a tricky European away day the there is absolutely nothing wrong with that ; but the manager has to accept that is just how he is these days and sub him much earlier in games.
OG is a great player and deserves all his plaudits. His resilience has got us out of jail on more occasions than many pundits care to admit.
It’s Dele Alli so of course i just
laughed but the fifa ban is really
absurd.
Nice one, Holic.
I missed the entire game having not realised the early kick-off time and booked in an urgent back patient.
Good result considering the inexperience of the team. Defensive frailties continue. Defence of Theo as some sort of master striker continues, despite every other report I have read saying he was awful apart from his goals – snubbing team mates in better positions, missing chances and giving the ball away. None of those things were his fault of course.
Great to hear that Jack is back and showing very promising signs.
Scherbitski ……. was he the inventor of the Dabski. (more Googling for the youngsters)
Guinness???? A poor substitute for gallons of 6X if you will permit me to be so bold sir?
Nice write up H. I was really pleased to see LJW basically run the show, certainly in the first half anyway. Not only does he demonstrate what potential he has as a player, but he also highlights what the likes of Elneny, Le Coq and Xhaka all lack. The result is that our midfield lacks both balance and creativity. LJW can help provide both.
Whilst the Ropey on a Thursday night is total pants, I actually starting to see some positives. Playing a second string was always going to happen. However, unlike the league cup we are guaranteed at least 6 games. That’s a minimum of 6 Ropey matches for the kids etc to be involved in. That has to be a positive. The fact that we can play a second string means that first team players should be well rested for the weekend. If it gets the likes of LJW back to full match fitness then that has to be one massive plus.
This is good, couple of well known names but two not well known, on travelling to Belarus with the Arsenal
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2735692-meet-the-arsenal-fans-who-actually-travelled-to-belarus
C100@30: Good read. If only we had a team of the same calibre as our away fans.
Excellent and entertaining read, countryman. Like the Arsenal fan who lost a bet and had to go to Belarus, I am also excited about Arsenal playing in the Europa League. Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurious FC have all benefited from the experience in recent years, even if their managers, players and fans occasionally, or regularly in some cases, whinged about the lower prestige and the Thursday/Sunday fixture schedule during the time they were in it.
Thanks c100 – an enjoyable read.
Made me miss going to away games.
Think the Europa league is a blessing in disguise… not only is there a chance for an automatic entry to the CL, should we win it, but also a huge opportunity for Arsene to put out the team he did…gives the youngsters a real chance to prove their worth.
😀
Agüero karmic rib fracture feared following continental concert cavorting.
Hi bt8,
🙂
Stokes future feared following
finger fracture from fearsome
fucking fisticuffs !
Apologies for the cricket
reference 🙂
Anyway, I agree with you @34.
I am a definite whinger about
the Ropey League but I’d
forgotten how enjoyable it is
to see our young players going
forward without fear and winning.
Stick for the defence from some
and I’ve seen some stick for
Elneny too. But the defence is
trying to play with kids in front
of them and Elneny is trying to
hold them together. Of course
the kids are more interested in
supporting the attack – who
wouldn’t be at that age. But I
must say they’re converting me
to take more interest than I
expected in Thursday night.
Having see the cctv I would say that Stokes could be lucky not to get banged up.
I only saw JW, RN, ‘Niles, Holding.
Others were routine.
The Arsenal should just win this league regardless, what history would be made if Wenger’s men pip Bayern 2-1 in the ropey league final and JW getting the winning goal?
Meanwhile. I’d love to see JW start against Brighton and if Özil’s fit, replace him during 65’/70’. This form needs to be sustained and built on.
https://mobile.twitter.com/skyatlantic/status/913365876421820417
.
ooooooohh
affront 40
not cricket
nor indeed is october
when i am apparently off the gargle
so goodbye stout gooners
for without an eyebrow stiffener
i have neither the will ner the inclination
de converse wi you clowns
fuck away off
and
“..take my wife ”
.
.
.
please
boom boom
.
.
.
.
*just doesn’t know*
?
oooh 45
?????????
.
.
half
.
.
.
.
….. ton
?????????????
Pyrrhic victory CBA??
Ozil will miss Brighton and this might be an opportunity to play Jack , Ramsey ( in Ozil’s role ) and Xhaka together .
If Jack plays well again this could be very interesting!
I don’t think he’ll risk playing Jack twice in 72 hours. Probably on the bench.
Can’t see Jack starting another game so soon. Even v Brighton. If fit Iwobi will get the call. If not, Ramsey will play ’10’ and Elneny will be asked to run around a bit.
Get a grip Trev, I have never referred to Theo as a ‘master striker’, just a better one than some who regularly get to play ahead of him. If we had a master striker I wouldn’t have a problem, and you may (not) have noticed that he wouldn’t be in my No 1 team currently anyway since L’Exocet arrived. Front 3 of Alexis, OG and Laca would be my pick.
What irks is the poor bugger can do no right. Even when he pretty much sttles the game in the first 30 minutes he’s still ‘rubbish’ for the rest of the game. Which makes me wonder whether that is written in the minds of some before it happens because he was no worse than most of the rest in that second half.
What missed chances did he have in the second half? And which team-mates exatly did he snub? After countryman’s earlier comments I watched the second half again and saw neither. In fact he didn’t take a single shot in the half, the closest being in the 82nd minute when put through close to the six-yard box. He then swivelled and sent a very quick ball through to Willock which didn’t quite find him. Even the commentators said he’d probably have been better off shooting. I can find no other instance of a shot or selfish refusal to pass, although he did lose the ball and misplace a pass occasionally – while closely marked by opposition players most of the time on account, I assume, of him being identified as the obvious danger after the first half.
I’d love you or countryman to refer me to the exact minute in the half where you hold he was irresponsible ‘rubbish’.
And countryman, I have no wish to fall out with anyone. I am happy to disagree with you without it ever being more than a difference of opinion. And more than happy to share a drink and laugh it off should the opportunity arise.
Steve@38
You could be right, happy to
leave that to the CPS, courts,
etc.
What annoys me is all the
‘moral quandary” bollocks in
the media.
I have no expectation of
people in sport, music,
entertainment etc being role
models. They’re just individuals
pursuing personal goals.
If Stokes is at liberty then he
should be picked based on
performance not on what he
does in his free time – ‘free’
being the operative word.
Please ignore my grumping 🙂
Back in New Orleans
the land of dreams
where people don’t much worry
bout Theo gettin his fair shake,
or much of anything else.
Then home Sunday evening
to watch the recorded Brighton match
and regain my nordic demeanor.
Chris@55
Saw a funny comment about
Feo the other day.
Playing Walcott is like starting
1-0 up but playing with 10 men.
Apologies if you’ve heard it, but
it made me laugh.
Personally, I thought his two goals
were bloody handy the other night!
The team news wasn’t great with
Ozil out, Tendoned Kos and maybes
about Iwobi.
I heard that Brighton’s top 3
strikers are out as well though.
Maybe as good a time as any
to rest Kos in that case.
If Iwobi’s fit he plays to me, and
we go with Iwobi, Alexis, Laca
up front. If not then OG I guess.
1-0 up but playing with 10 men, I can see the humour Matt, but despair of the way Theo gets mocked way more than most. Let’s see, what could we say about playing Danny … like starting 1-0 down and playing with 10 men plus one with two left feet? Same could have been said about AOC, but that concern is no longer ours.
What has Iwobi ever done to merit your trust, by the way? I know he is considered ‘promising’, but ‘delivering’ still seems to be his problem for mine.
In the absence of Ozil there’s a case for starting Rambo in the front three with Jack alongside Xhaka. Two games in a week isn’t impossible, plenty of teams have their best players doing it regularly – the likes of Messi among them.
Chris,
I should have said “if Iwobi’s fit he
plays against Brighton to me”.
Iwobi and Danny have exactly the
same challenge in my opinion – they
must produce end product in terms
of regular assists/goals to play in
our front 3. I think they both have
talent but there’s not enough end
product so far. We can play them if
we have 2 regular goal scorers up
front but 3 is simply better than 2.
That’s simplistic as there are other
factors – the right balance, the
opposition etc but in the end you
want your forwards to score or
assist regularly.
In this case Iwobi plays because I
don’t want Elneny or Jack in the
middle – too many games in a
short space for Elneny and still
kid gloves for Jack at this stage.
Chris,
Next about Theo…..
Personally, I think he’s been a
good goal scorer for us over the
years and he’s improved
defensively over the last 2 seasons.
Why does he get so much stick?
Well, he can be so exasperating.
Sometimes, you see him finish
smartly and you think great and
then a minute later he does a
really simple thing wrong. Alexis
often gives the ball away but his
head doesn’t seem to go down,
he chases to recover, tries again.
Whereas, Theo’s head can go down
and he seems to drift out of the
game. He’s similar to Ozil in the
way his body language sometimes
gets him criticism – unfairly in both
cases I think. For these perceptions,
which I probably haven’t explained
well, he doesn’t get the respect
his scoring record merits.
It’s a difficult time for Theo now,
another perception is that our
current system doesn’t suit him.
I am not sure that is correct actually
as he hasn’t played enough since
we switched for me to reach any
conclusion. Anyway, the fact is he’s
a wide player, under 30, and has a
100 goals for us. Good to have.
That’s a long waffle, well done to
anyone who reached the end.
OM@58, you sum up well the paradox of Feo with that joke and with your epistle @63.
He gets stick because he is so exasperating. If he wasn’t such a prolific goalscorer, he would simply be a speedy B-grade winger with a tremendous burst of pace but poor dribbling skills and relatively poor final ball who often vanishes from the game.
It’s because he has the ability to get onto a final ball into the box and has a very respectable conversion rate that he exasperates so much at other times. Otherwise he could truly be written off as not Arsenal quality. Without question he has contributed hugely to the team’s record over the last few years and he will be remembered more kindly once his career is over.
Meanwhile he will continue to exasperate us. FFS Feo!
Hi Chris
I think we’ll just agree to differ. I certainly am not going to play the game back and am relying on my one time memory. From memory the two he should have played in were Jack (visibly displeased) and, also on the left, (I think) AMN. In both cases he dithered, didn’t play the right ball and ended up being squeezed out without taking the shot himself when the team mate would have been left with only the keeper to beat..
But I do know where you are coming from. I’ve seen probably 60% of Theo’s games live since he was 16 and he leaves a raft of memories, starting off with that fantastic goal in the League Cup final against Chelsea. There was a time when I used to say (usually when he was recovering from injury) that we simply were not the same team without Theo. He frustrates me that he never lived up to that potential, despite lots of chances. I think you are still keeping the faith, whereas I’ve given up. I won’t rehearse his faults, I do that a lot maybe too much?).
On to tomorrow. Looks like the international break is coming at a good time as we get the medical men busy. If we can pull off another win then that’s a great bounceback after Liverpool and Stoke in August and a chance to regather. There’s absolutely no doubt, as many have found before, that not having to play the first XI twice a week makes life much easier.
Was watching the Hudd/Spud
match but the Spuds are 2 up
in 20 minutes and I’ve lost all
interest 🙁
Not much hope of Palace doing
any better later today but at least
Chavs or Shitty will drop points
tomorrow.
Bath@64 quite agree!
Chris,
Typing and gripping simultaneously is tricky but here goes.
I did admit, in my original post, that I saw nothing of Thursday’s game but based my comments on those of other folk I trust and invariably agree with.
I cannot, therefore, provide you with the exact moments of anything that happened on Thursday but I have seen enough of him over the last ten years to have formed a credible opinion of my own.
I’m quite happy to accept your suggestion that much that concerns Theo Walcott, for me, is “written in my mind”. Please believe me when I say I have stood in the stadium since the day Theo arrived and given every possible verbal encouragement to his every genuine effort.
The trouble is that there has been far too little genuine effort.
Each time a contract negotiation is nearing its end, we see a couple of games from Theo where you think there is a real player in there – running hard, tackling back, taking defenders on, looking for the ball and yes, even scoring. His goal stats are good.
With the two “shop window” performances out of the way though, he reverts to the player who hides behind big centre halves when the ball is out wide, never making himself available for a pass into areas that can hurt.
He chases back to help defend at half-throttle, always decelerating in time to avoid having to actually make a challenge for the ball.
His decision making when in the ball is often poor – spurning team mates in better positions.
For a winger he has no tricks with which to beat an opponent. The rapid runs he used to make are now often ignored by team mates who know that a pass to him will result in the ball being given away, or lost as he tumbles under the merest challenge.
For me, he is a statistical illusionist.
You would look at his goal scoring record and see a very good striker.
You watch him live and see a player who refuses to really apply himself. I don’t see that he has altered in ten years and I’m frankly sick of the sight of him shirking every tough aspect of the game and constantly falling over. He could be so much more than he is but he just doesn’t want to.
I know you won’t agree so, as countryman said, it’s best we leave it there.
The big problem with Theo is that his legs work a twice the pace of his football brain.
ah fuck off ya bickerin tarts
last day gargle here
NOVEMBER!
.
see first line
.
shower o did well at school shites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKYQypWSfUE
.
.
?
never has so much vague tripe
been wrapped up
in so many sheepskin coats
.
game o two halves , though
i s’pose
.
of course i say in jest ?
.
.
*resolutely didn’t*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWRCJhsz5t4
hey hey
cba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkzvyqE3_2E
Trev, @67, absolutely spot on. I was delighted when he joined us, many years later I’m now totally disillusioned. Wellbeck or Theo? Danny every time. Why? Danny has some heart and guts but isn’t a “natural golscorer” (or so I’m told). Theo is (apparently) a clinical finisher and managed to ratchet up 19 goals last season in all competitions. I haven’t checked but I wonder if these were in games that really mattered or where heart and guts were components of the player’s performance.
In any case, I’d be happy to see Theo go. Does anyone want him? I very much doubt it.
I’d love it if he turned in a performance in training which made him a ‘must play’ in Arsene’s mind. I’d love it even more if he brought a series of top drawer performances to the PL. Sadly, I’m not holding my breath. He’s a metaphor for much of what isn’t quite right at Asenal right now.
“and let’s go back to the studio”
I am in Ned’s monks’ territory here but these were Theo’s goals 2016-17
PL: Liverpool 1, Hull 1, Chelsea 1, Swansea 2, Bournemouth 1, City 2 (one in each game), West Ham 1, Stoke 1 Total 10 (we lost 2, City and Liverpool, drew 1, City and won 5 of the games he scored in)
CL Basel 2, Ludogorets 1, Munich 1 Total 4
FAC Southampton 3, Sutton 1, Lincoln 1 Total 5
Total 19
Toothless Chavski slump to home
defeat.
I’m afraid I must side with BtM , Trev and Countryman on the Theo issue.
I’m sure his in- laws love him, he is a very good role- model in that I believe he goes above and beyond in his charity work and he may have a career in the media after he retires. It is unlikely his good looks will be spoiled by a defender! I’ve never called an Arsenal player a physical coward before but it does apply to Theo. For some reason I compare Geordie Armstrong ( no caps but as brave and committed as a lion) to Theo ( 47 caps and not as brave as a dormouse) . Geordie was not a striker and never became remotely a millionaire but he oozed genuine endeavour. Theo as BtM says is a metaphor for this team and he is a metaphor for the modern footballer like Raheem Sterling and Andres Townsend and lots of other wildly overpaid underachievers with umpteen caps but not much talent.
There is a player in there but I despair we will see it on a regular basis and if Southampton really did want him in part exchange for Van Dijk I would have fired up the TTGmobile and gunned it towards the South Coast with him on board.
I’m certainly a much bigger fan of Danny Welbeck .
welbeck is a lump
theo is nijinsky
I understand Koscielny is rarely training because of his chronic Achilles problem. Another reason to get more quality CB talent in, in the last window. Not only will he miss tomorrow I suspect he will be missing regularly throughout the season.
Can we avoid the subject of Theo until tomorrow? 😉 >>>>>>>>>>>>
BIG BULLY