Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Sunday April 6 2008
Time: 12:58PM
UK time is: 15:03:39
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Walcott Wonders About Starting Spot
Theo Walcott has revealed how he approached Arsene Wenger and asked him what he has to do to get some regular football.
The English striker has been playing well of late, but despite this has struggled to get any regular action. But rather than just sit and feel sorry for himself and bitch to the newspapers like a girl, he approached his boss and asked Wenger what was needed of him before he got a starting spot.
'There are times when I haven't deserved to play because I wasn't playing well enough but there have been times when I have been playing well and not been involved and that struck me a bit.
'So I actually went up to him for the first time and asked him what I had to do to start.' Revealed Theo.
'I initiated the conversation and walked over to him on the training ground. It was a difficult thing to do, but I'm glad I did it.'
'And he was fine. In fact, I think he thought it was really big of me to go to a top manager when I was 18 and ask what I had to do to improve.'
I must say that I have been somewhat baffled by Wenger's decision to leave out Walcott and consistently pick Eboue. I'm of the camp that Walcott plays best as a striker, but if Le Boss has confirmed his intentions to let the speedy Englishman learn his trade on the right before pushing forward, then why has a player who has scored a few goals, made plenty of assists and generally scares the shit out of defenders with his pace been omitted for a player who has offered none of this?
With the league campaign all but over, I hope we get to see more of him so he can prove his worth.
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Your Comments
Shows how much he wants to improve and character.better than 'boue and should be starting more
ajwb
Manure 1-0 up Still there's always next year. Keep believing
YidEdy
1-1 there's always hope
YidEdy
I remember Theo something like that a couple of months back. Some old news recycled? Anyway, fair play to the boy. Add that to his body language on the pitch we see recently, e.g. he demands the ball when making a good run, speaking up with the ref, etc. He's maturing and getting more confident.
Lou the Gunneress
YidEdy, how's Alves looking? The 50/50 possession sounds like Boro are doing well.
Lou the Gunneress
2-1 boro
YankeeDeuce
Wow "there's always hope". I'm even more gutted about our failure to capitalise on that. Anyway, we have another big cup to play for. Their game's looking good.
Lou the Gunneress
And don't you guys worry, Ronaldo will get and score from a free kick. Or they'll have a penalty in the 5th minute of injury time.
Lou the Gunneress
2-1 Alves is looking good. Your only 5 points behind again now.
YidEdy
oh dear 2 - 2
YidEdy
Most exciting title race in the PL history?
Lou the Gunneress
Nah I don't think so I don't think there are any surprises left, I think it's over now. Both you and Chelscum need to beat Manure, and I can't see that happening. Strangely enough I think Chelscum might do, and you may get a draw, but it won't be enough.
YidEdy
I also think you lot have got a few more draws left in you, this term. Funnily enough, although i've been a regular pain in the a55 on your site, winding you lot up about winning noithing, I've got this horrible feeling you lot are gonna turn it on at Anfield and win that. And when I get that feeling i'm never wrong. I had the same feeling we were gonna murder you at ours in the CC, and beat Chavski, and I was bang on. Oh please let me be wrong.
YidEdy
Boro actually deserved to win that game. If we win Utd next week, and Chelsea win their game though, we'll still be third, even though the point difference will be a lot tighter. If we get a win next week then, Lou, I agree it will be the most exciting title race in PL history. Anyway, this is probably recycled news but it's nice to see how hard Theo is working to get into the starting XI. If it was up to me, he'd start ahead of Eboue, but I don't think he's ready to play week in, week out. He's been playing really well recently and he deserves a couple of more starts.
Cheese.
It's been the 'most exciting title race in PL history' till yesterday, was what I meant lol. But 6 points separating the top 3 with 6 games to go is still pretty tight. Anyway, I'm secretly hoping we pull off another miracle at Anfield. (Just imagine the big boost if we knocked out the holders and then the runners-up...) But I'm not gonna jinx it (as YidEdy's trying to do lol). And yeah I think Theo's ready to start ahead of Eboue (who's better at RB yesterday) for now.
Lou the Gunneress
I'm not having a dig at him, but I think he needs to stop being selfish. He always wants to run with the ball and take on defenders. I think if he decides to become a more team player, then he'll come good and start games for you!
Fan of Blues
That's a lack of skills/intelligence/experience/judgement on the pitch, not selfishness. Actually it's clear that many people have been telling him to be confident, to demand the ball more and to run at defenders. He did it, or probably overdid it as he's not experienced enough to strike a balance. But it's not an ego thing. Just part of his learning curve - in terms of skill, not personality.
Lou the Gunneress
the reason Theo doesent start now is because of his fitness and his size. i'm sure once he is physically strong enough and has the stamina to last fore mroe than an hour, he will become a regular. and lads please stop the Eboue bashing. yu can do all that at the end of the season. now is not the time to slack any member of the team. i pray that Eboue doesen't read any of the fan sites, cuz it would tear him down if he reads everything what the fans say about him. i personally rate the fellow, he only needs to be disciplined a bit, and he will be a better player. and don't forget he is a RB so his performances in the midfield will not be the same as when he is playing at the back..
luckys_10
Yeah that's something people don't realise when bashing a player outright, not just them but their family. I remember reading something Anelka said about when he was younger his mum used to read people calling him ''Le sulk'' and it made her cry, I find it disgusting when it reaches a certain level to be honest. Eboue has turned into the David James for Arsenal. On Walcott I respect what he did going to Wenger it shows that he wants to actually develop as a player and he isn't above asking for advice a trait over english players could do with.
Gunners
Blimey, anything to get that dangerous Eboue out of your side! I cringe seeing some of his tackles... Seriously though, Walcott will get his chances. I think it's sometimes easy to forget he is only 18. He just seems to have been around forever!
The_Legend_Of_Zola
If only Walcott had revealed what the boss told him. At any rate, it doesn't sound like Walcott is too discouraged, and it's nice that one of our young players went to the boss and said 'what do I have to do' rather than 'play me or sell me' like some others.
elbondo
Actually, Theo did reveal what Wenger told him - wanted him to be more aggressive. These quotes sound old to me, coz I read this a few months back. In any case, I can see why Wenger is reluctant to play him upfront. Theo's development is far from complete - he is muscled off the ball far too easily, runs too much with the ball. His speed is an asset, but can only do so much for him. He is far from the finished article, although there are tangible signs of improvement in his game.
prits
Theo has definitely improved, but he is not the finished article by any means. He does have one big thing going for him in a head-to-head with Eboue, which is that he's not a universally detested, diving, dirty idiot.
Moorish
theo should play. i am sometimes baffled that he doesnt get picked. its actually good that wenger interchanges him between forward and wing, it means the opposition dont know what to expect from him. and to tell u the truth, he has looked threatening at both positions. as for eboue, he has skills but the guy is not doing himself any favours with his carrying on. whilst we are discussing players, ade still frustrates me, and i know LD will think i am "player bashing" but the guy's positioning and play drives me insane. too many offsides, does not nearly take a shot on target as a centre forward should when given the opportunity. he could be so much more but he isnt. he should have bagged 50 with the kind of supply he has received. im sorry, but he needs time on the bench.
supersof
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