I was playing fifa last night and stuck Theo up top because #AnyoneButGiroud. Slotted a perfectly timed pass from Mesut into Theo, goal! At this moment I had flashbacks of Henry & Bergkamp together. Theo scored a good number of goals with the little game time he did have this season and him and Mesut were deadly at some points together. The knowledgable fans are aware that Ozil thrives off pace and when littered around he is one of the finest in quick attacking football, this tippy-tappy hasn't suited him well at all, little wonder why Ramsey's drive and burst of energy revitalises Ozil's form
I actually think I was more gutted about Theo's injury than Ramsey's mainly because of his productivity in the final 3rd but also because I think Ozil would have looked a lot better this season too. Not only is the tippy-tappy a struggle for Mesut but also the donkey ahead of him is a static as they come so I sympathise with Ozil's body language from time to time.
Cesc & RVP utilised Theo's pace the most I'd say and Mesut can easily be the next to do that his vision is world class and the delicacy of his pass is tidy too even his involvement in our first goal Vs Hull was key, only Cesc & Bergkamp are the former players on Ozil's level of creativity. Bergkamp knew where Henry liked the ball and fed it but his pass was inch perfect with Henry running off the shoulder. I'd give Theo a chance up top I liked him there in his last game Vs Spurs he stretches teams and gives them a tactical problem. Obviously in the summer we need one but I'd consider Walcott 2nd choice over Giroud. We'd be a dynamic team, Ozil would have thrived with this around him
--------------Walcott-------
--Poldi--------Ozil---------Ox
------Ramsey-----_____---
He'd pick up the ball and have 3 options all looking to get in beyond with Aaron to link up with. Next season I'd have the new striker up top, Poldi dropped/sold (I still love him), Ox and Theo either side of Ozil. Ramsey and a new DM deeper
If we want the best from Ozil Wenger will have to let go of his tippy-tappy obsession and that will be at the expense of Santi & Rosicky. We need to be frightening again and not predictable/easy to shut out
Ozil & Theo Can Be Our Bergkamp & Titi
posted on 23/4/14
oh how observant you are, get Wenger playing Fifa ASAP, Arsenal will win eveything possible next season if Wenger spends the summer playing Fifa.
Observant my hole
posted on 23/4/14
All FIFA jokes aside, I've said this until I'm blue in the face;
Whilst Walcott can lead the line and (massively depending on the opposition) will score goals and give you a bit of joy, the FACT that he struggles to (can't) play with his back to goal is a fundamental flaw with regards to playing as a centreforward.
As an occasional option as a centreforward, sure, but I don't think he has it in his locker to nail that role down.
posted on 23/4/14
Or, you know, just play Walcott on the right of Ozil and get an actual WC striker up top to give us strength?
posted on 23/4/14
Knappyrash
The obsession continues.....
Penguin
That's what I say in the article but I'm also talking about what we had this season and what Ozil would have benefitted from.
Moist
He might be weak but you've seen Remy, Aguero, Eto'o hold the line for their clubs just playing off the shoulder rather than holding the ball. As long as Theo has players close to him which he would have in Ox & Poldi I think he'd cope with a bit of practice upfront
posted on 23/4/14
Moist
He might be weak but you've seen Remy, Aguero, Eto'o hold the line for their clubs just playing off the shoulder rather than holding the ball. As long as Theo has players close to him which he would have in Ox & Poldi I think he'd cope with a bit of practice upfront
=-=-=-=
I do see the point you're trying to make, but those players you've mentioned are actually 'natural' strikers, Walcott's not.
Walcott is actually physically twice the player he as a couple of years back, he's done very well in that sense. But in this instance, it's not specifically all about 'strength'.
At any level of football, even when you're being coached at 9 or 10 years of age (playing as a centreforward) you're taught how to play with your back to goal. I'm sure that term is implicit so I won't be a patronising t!t & elaborate.
Practice? Sure. Learn 'on the job', yup why not... But the reality is that at this level (the highest level) there are fundamental attributes that a player HAS TO have to excel. Apart from the most obvious one (having a knack hen it comes to actually scoring goals), playing centreforward, leading the line, whatever you wanna call it, being able to play with your back to goal is absolutely crucial and if a player can't do that (to a high standard), certainly in the Premier League, they'll never consistenly excel.
posted on 23/4/14
With an injury-free season, Theo could get 20 league goals playing where he already does. If you then have a proper striker striking then that's goals aplenty.
posted on 23/4/14
With an injury-free season, Theo could get 20 league goals playing where he already does. If you then have a proper striker striking then that's goals aplenty.
-=-=-=-=-
Yup!
posted on 23/4/14
Well like I wrote in the post. The new striker could see Theo and Ox on either side of Ozil which would be great as well having a mobile forward. Theo can still be a right sided Henry the way Titi used to hug the left side but Ozil can allow Theo to skip the individual brilliance bit and just get in on goal.
I feel that Theo was still our biggest loss this campaign