Theo proving me wrong :) Always was unconvinced by him, but today and last year v. Tottenham

[Alexism - Atheoist]

he dominated up front.

So Schneiderlin/Cech and we're champions!

Reus maybe but I don't see that one with Ox waiting...

[Billy Goat Sverige]

peasant to replace Sterling.

[Peter]

[Classic Jorge]

he's another in the long line of supremely tactically and/or technically limited English players.

He's been with us for ten years, he's in his mid 20s now. I've simply no idea how he's failed to develop into a more rounded player.

[Bergkamp's Brain]

[redgunamo]

:homer:

[Classic Jorge]

you do more fishing than Jimmy f**king Bullard :hehe:

[redgunamo]

[Classic Jorge]

[redgunamo]

No player "develops". Not really. The just continue to do whatever it was they were doing when you decided to buy them in the first place, because they know that that's *why* you decided to buy them.

If you want Xavi, you buy Xavi; if you want Lamps, then buy Lamps. And so on. But you don't buy one expecting him to somehow turn into the other.

[Classic Jorge]

i just hope everyone else here is clever enough to realise that

[redgunamo]

It woz Cato the Elder wot sed it, squire :shrug:

[Classic Jorge]

[Peter]

When it is really about improvement or additions to your game.

Some players improve and some don't.

[redgunamo]

[Classic Jorge]

youve pretty much got the player you will have by 24, it's not really a valid comparison.

The point is, Theo hasn't improved tactically, at least not enough as anybody would have wanted him to. He was raw when he came and remains pretty raw now. He still plays like someone four or five years younger.

I like the lad but it's frustrating.

I've no idea where the whole Xavi/Lampard business came from.

[Peter]

[Peter]

I dont think he is ever going to be a disciplined wide forward who works hard and fits in a structure. He is never going to play for mourinho.

What he is good at he is too good at to let go. He is unique in a way, i cant think f a single player with his pace, balance and finishing skill.

[Classic Jorge]

he's still pretty poor tactically though. He'll often make unhelpful runs with and without the ball though, and his passing is rudimentary at best.

I realise I'm being slightly unfair, he was actually looking like he was getting his head around that side of the game a little before he was injured but his lack of footballing brain, despite spending nearly a decade at one of the best schools, has made it harder for Wenger to confidently pick him again, which was my original point.

[Alexism - Atheoist]

[redgunamo]

That's *why* we bought him, I'd say.

[redgunamo]

[Peter]

Obviously his pace is no surprise but he was no world class finisher. Those were all aspects of his game and some of them have improved hugely.

With theo, he has improved at the things he wants to improve at. Goalscoring, movement in attacking areas etc. the twctical and defensive side of his game holds no interest to him at all.

Fair enough, but it limits his options at arsenal and at any other huge club. For example, we may have signed him for those strengths but it is those weaknesses that are currently preventing him from getting in the side.cand this is under wenger, hardly a master tactician or grahamesque defensive mastermind.

[Peter]

[redgunamo]

I think it's about emphasising what a player is good at, and it's folly to concentrate on what he isn't so good at.

Anyway, Wenger says that, before, Theo wasn't ready; today, he was :shrug:

[redgunamo]

Time passes, they play more matches and gain more experience. The so-called improvement is as much to do with the calender as anything else. Consistency too, I suppose; achieving your level where you can be most effective and remaining there.

He could have a game like today's in five years' time and you could still point out his "weaknesses". Just as you could argue that Xavi should've scored more goals. Trying to argue either is ridiculous.