Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Tuesday September 18 2012
Time: 9:30AM
UK time is: 09:49:45
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Wenger Admits Walcott Could Be Benched
With the Theo Walcott contract situation still unresolved, Arsene Wenger has confirmed what most Gooners have susspected, in that the lack of a signature on a contract from the Englishman does have the potential to affect the manager`s decisions on the starting XI.
It`s no secret that Arsene will try to hold on to his players as long as he can, and it`s also no secret that the Frenchman has a bit of a ruthless streak (Just ask Alex Song) when his patenience is tested, I seem to remember Wiltord and Edu had both been benched in the past after showing a reluctance to sign a new deal, and ultimately not featuring as all in the final months of their contracts.
However the Gaffer claims he still hopes to tie Theo down to a new deal.
Wenger said, 'It can (change selection policy), but at the moment I still hope to extend his contract so at the moment, it doesn't affect me. Of course at some stage...,'
But added it would be unlikely if it wasn`t done by April (April? Really? I`d give him till Christmas).
"If in April it is not done, you can think it will be difficult to do.'
There were also reports claiming Walcott was booed by a section of the crowd in the game vs. Southampton at the weekend, however many Arsenal fans at the game claim it wasn`t booing but a chant of "Giiirrrrroooouuuuudddd" in the same fashion we used to show our support for Kanu (who incidentally thought it was booing at first also).
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Your Comments
Bench and only play him when needed. It was very disappointing to see Wenger play him when we had such a commanding lead. It hurts when a player like RVP who we as a club and fans have given so much to turn his back on us, but it stinks and stings when you see a player who is yet to prove himself do it. Walcott must sign or rot away!
Trennon
To be perfectly frank, the way we're playing at the moment, contract or not ... he should be on the bench.
Rocky7
Cannot believe that Theoo is so thick headed that he thinks he can get a better deal anywhere else. Hes not going to get more money or better quality football than at Arsenal. I wouldnt bat an eyelid if he left.
Sajit
Sajit, if he can leave on a Free, there may be a few clubs willing to give him wages above what we have on offer, but certainly, not as much as 100k a week. Theo needs to listen to good advice and stay to improve his game unless he has come to the conclusion he can't win the contest for a shirt with the Ox. It's absurd really he is still stalling. And thanks for clearing up the Booing claims, Rocky. I had thought it was a protest against taking off Gervinho, much in the same way it appeared Arshavin was being booed, when the dissent was at the substitution of Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Naijagunner
i believe theo can do well with the current system with cazorla filling the long vacated bergkamp role. pacey players such as wright, anelka & henry had benefited enormously in such system & the same can happen to gervinho and walcott. for all of his lack of flair & trickery, walcott is never a bad finisher to begin with. we seemed to have abandoned the high line defending with the back four dropping deeper. we also seem to have given up a fair bit of possession this season. these leave more room for counter attacks and that suit players like gervinho & walcott perfectly especially having cazorla doing all the dribbling and releasing them in the final third. their sudden burst of sprint in the last 20 yards can be almost undefendable
Joe_@**
it occurred to me that our current system (especially in our last game) bears some reminiscent to the the 4-4-2 system that we adopt in our invincible era. we are now having a pacey striker who gets into scoring position from deep, a free roaming 'no. 10' in cazorla, 2 cm who prioritised in protecting the back four, a 'false striker' ghosting from the wing (podolski in the role made famous by ljungberg), a dribbling winger who makes diagonal runs - ox, a left back who makes overlapping runs complemented with a right back who stays behind more often, a lanky cb who plays the sweeper role with another tenacious cb who attacks the ball. the best thing is probably we are not passing to the death anymore. we are defending deeper and lure our opponents to come forward to exploit the space left behind with our once trademark counter attacks
Joe_@**
For once Im totally with Arsene on this. I think he (and us) want to avoid another Flamini situation where the player played for a fat contract and finally left for the biggest payday.
So unless Walcott signs he is going to rot on the bench. Its perfectly fine by me.
I would love for him to sign for us. But if he thinks he can find a better club and a better developer of talent than Arsene — good luck to him.
Not a single ***** will be given.
Sajit
anyone noticed how nicely things are going without this guy starting every game no matter how crap he plays?
Will-i-am10
I'm a bit unsure on this. We have put a lot of effort in developing Theo, so it would be a shame to let him go. I still think he has a lot to offer in the coming years, as there are aspects of his play that has improved. That said, there is no point over paying him and then complaining about the lop sided wage structure at the club. This is the balance that our well paid management and Wenger has to strike. I would prefer that he stays, but till he signs a new contract, I agree that he should be benched - sends out a strong message to other players.
prits
I'm with Rocky here, if Walcott signed a ten year deal tomorrow, I'd be inclined to say, "Great. Now, as for the City game....yeah, you're still on the bench me old son."
Little Dutch
Wow, that's really going to A) Enamour him to the club and B) Increase his transfer value. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! If you bench Walcott he will leave, end of. Although judging by some of the comments, none of you sound all that bothered (and I agree, he's not rally all that is he?)
fifthcolumnblue
He's basically available for free, so we don't really have to worry about decreasing transfer value.
Little Dutch
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