Statistically Gareth Bale has been no better than Theo Walcott in this seasons Premier League, so what is it that Walcott lacks as a player?
Walcott is an excellent player who does not realise it. Photo: BBC Sport
Theo Walcott is quite simply the Marmite Man of the Premier League! 50% of football fans think he has quality attributes, whilst 50% see him as nothing more than a player who has a decent turn of pace. If you’re an Arsenal fan, you may agree when I say that Theo Walcott strikes me as an incredibly talented player lacking in self-belief. As you will also read later in the article, Walcott compares very similarly to Gareth Bale this season, but with one fundamental difference…
I’d like to initially highlight what I think Walcott does well; the clear strengths of his game. Walcott has lightening pace, which I feel he relies on too much at times. I have no doubt that Walcott’s pace both with and without the ball is a superb attribute to have in what is an increasingly fast paced game. It is difficult to name any players who are quicker than Walcott in the Premier League. He shows maturity on the pitch, perhaps something that has been instilled since his move to Arsenal in 2006. Whilst I do not mind admitting I dislike Arsene Wenger in many ways, his ability to spot and nurture potential in young football players is sensational. Walcott is good in possession of the ball; showing he can confidently pass the ball and maintain possession in keeping with Arsenal’s style of play.
There are a few key aspects to Theo Walcott’s game which if improved would put him right up with the best wide players in the Premier League. Firstly, Walcott’s final pass lets him down; when you consider the number of excellent positions he can get himself into. Walcott is equally happy coming deeper to collect the ball and beat a player, or playing on the shoulder and bursting into space in the channels. What often follows such scenario’s is a poorly placed final pass that results in the goal scoring opportunity being lost. I do believe that this is something Walcott is improving. Two assists in yesterday’s 3-0 victory over West Ham show that he can be composed in the final third when it counts.
Similar to my previous point, Walcott at times seems to lack composure and belief in front of goal. When you consider his pace and ability to craft scoring opportunities, 15 goals in 100 games is not an outstanding record for a player like Walcott. You get the feeling that Walcott is always looking to play somebody else in, instead of adding a ‘selfish’ side to his game; one I feel would drastically improve his success in front of goal.
Whilst we could assess Walcott’s game in a deeper context, the main problem essentially comes down to one thing… Consistency. The 21 year old can at times look unplayable, but can anyone honestly say that this happens anywhere near frequently enough? Walcott will follow an outstanding individual performance with a lackluster and frustrating performance; and I just wish we could see the best of Walcott week in week out. Whilst it may not be completely appropriate to compare Theo Walcott with Gareth Bale, the two players are expected to produce similar things. Both are expected to get chalk on their boots (play in wide positons). Both are expected to beat opposition full-backs and create chances in front of goal for themselves and others. Statistically in the Premier League, you can barely separate each of them this season. Walcott’s six goals are only one shy of Bale’s seven. Simiarly Walcott’s four assists are one better than Bale’s three this season.
However, one startling fact is that Walcott has played 1252 minutes LESS than Gareth Bale in this season’s Premier League. Considering the hype that has been made about Gareth Bale this season, the statistics show Walcott has has had an equally successful season having played an incredible 21 hours less football than Bale!
I do not think Walcott has reached his full potential yet, but I am an advocate of the fact that he could without doubt become the Premier League’s best and most threatening wide-man. I also think that so much is being made of Gareth Bale when he has achieved little more than Theo Walcott in this season’s Premier League. Granted, the hype surrounding Bale has also been based on his performances in the Champions League, but I do not think he is significantly better than Walcott, but simply has more belief in his own ability.
An injury-free Theo Walcott playing on a regular basis is something I cannot wait to see. I believe that Walcott will finish this season with better Premier League statistics than Gareth Bale, despite playing 21 hours less football. One thing is for certain; Southampton have produced and subsequently lost two of the most exciting wingers in the Premier League. Hopefully those who still think Theo Walcott is a waste of space can be persuaded to think otherwise!
DH
Not a Spurs fan. Bale is better. End of
Agreed. Theo has lots potential but lacks the belief.
Is it possible to find out how many penalties both players won this season?
Thanks!
Yeah but walcott had chamach, arshavin, nasri or whoever else plays in the advanced 3 that Wenger plays in his formation. Where as for the majority of the season spurs have only had crouch upfront in a 4-4-1-1 system. I’d like to say that’s because defoe was injured long term, keane has lost it and for some reason pav hasn’t been played. I’d have defoe in there which I expected to happen when he was back but as today proved the non-prolific Crouch started upfront again! Crouch is a waste of a place in the spurs team. He has scored 1 goal in the league since god knows when and for me is a poor player. However he has set up a few goals for vdv, these goals have mainly been started from bale and lennons crosses from the wing. So bale has not had the strikers playing alongside him that walcott had, but of the two bale beats his man and sends in decent balls far more often, he just needs someone better than crouch to finish them off. Walcott fails to beat his man over half the time as he hits it 5yards in front of him and runs after it and he is only successful if the opposition defence doesn’t read it or is slow. He has poor close control which is why lennon is also better. Lennon although again the final ball can be suspect at least beats his man nearly everytime because he has pace and close control.
Take stats with a pinch of salt. Bale creates an absolute s**t load for our useless strikers, but there’s no stat for that. You could essentially create a million chances but still only finish the season with 1 assist.
What a moron. Walcott is not a 90 minute player and comes on often when players are tiring. That’s what he’s mainly used for. Compare the minutes played per 90 minutes,including starts. Bale has played virtually every minute and from the start. This is like a little kid comparing an apple with an orange. Obviously Arsene needs to take the superior judgement of genius Halliday and adjust his tactics accordingly as Arsene ,it appears, does NOT know best.How can one person create an article of such verbosity with so little value?? Spends too much time in his anorak watching statistics than watching the actual game. More like an ego trip than a proper analysis. Wasted a couple of minutes of my life. Thanks
Walcott plays for a better team so that makes life easier for him.
@not quirky
At no point did I say I knew better than Arsene Wenger, and my name is Holliday not Halliday! Theo Walcott has played 0 minutes this season on 9 occasions, mainly due to injury. Furthermore, eluding to your thought that Walcott is some sort of SuperSub, that is complete and utter rubbish. In the 2010/11 Premier League, Walcott has made 7 substitute appearances. From 7 substitute appearances he has not set one goal up, or scored any.
ALL of Walcott’s goals and assists have come when he has started a match. Get your facts straight before you come on here pretending to be Jose Mourinho! He’s a quality player who needs to start frequently, because when he comes off the bench all he does it beat the full back and deliver a poor cross, you tool!
Lol… that just sums up Spurs supporters, what an idiotic comment Haha! Like the article and the reaction it caused. Exactly what you want from a piece of journalism, Good job!
Walcott’s only problem is that as soon as he starts to get a run of games together, he goes off with England (seniors or U21s) and comes back injured, and so the process of getting him ready has to start again. He is a fantastic player that offers much more than Bale, though Bale has a much better injury record.
@quirky,you are clearly a fool and a half…you simply lost it while entangling yourself in the over-spent wenger hate syndrome.if you think walcott is not a 90mins then you definitely were driving a needle through your skin or in a rehab when walcott single-handedly murdered croatia.you simply let ur bias against arsenal,a team you will forever wish are your miserable team,cloud your judgement.and iam happy you turn out to be as useless as your scums…the day manure snaps your bale,then you will know your rightful position.
Excellent article imo, interesting article that makes sense and not just because I’m an Arsenal fan, I love watching Bale and have no problem praising him and many times I’ve been frustrated by Walcott but I share the main idea from this article although I believe Walcott has been abused position-wise for many years…
Now he’s becoming better at the wide role and will only continue to do so imo!
@ negative comment: everyone is entitled to have an opinion, if you don’t agree with that, share yours and explain perhaps in a grown-up manner why you disagree?
The only moron in here is you.
not quirky more like not watching games and talking armchair rubbish, seems you have a problem with someone giving his opinion as well . well better that than just be negative and frankly stupid.
whether he starts or comes on as a sub he gives defenders problems gets himself in good positions. he is also only 21 the best is yet to come from him for sure. his efforts v west ham last night weren’t poor either
If you cant write politely then don’t at all if anyone comes off looking the moron here its you for sure a bitter spurs fans lets us hope the minutes of your life you wasted here don’t count a bit like the rest of it
Neither the author or not quirky seem to have a clue about Theo.
Walcott has been excellent ALL season. He was on fire till getting that srrious injury while playing for his national team (where have we heard that before?) But thankfully he has returned almost as sharp as before and his game vs the Hammers showed his alol round game. Not coming off the bench, but from the strat. Just as he terrorised teams like Blackburn, etc away, he played brilliantly yesterday, not playing strictly on the wings, but coming inside to create and score goals. His passing has been top rate too not to mention his finishing (check out the finish in the champs league against Shakther)
He is a top class player, anyone who thinks differently is either just being biased (which is fair enough) or knows sod all about football.
Nice stat hunting.
I thought this was an intelligent, articulate piece and certainly interesting to read.
Not quirky is a prick-ignore him.
Interesting article. The comparison between Bale and Walcott surprised me but it just shows how media hype can skew your interpretation of the game. I partly agree on your thoughts about walcott, he needs to show a lot more conviction in his game as often you can really see his indecision before passing or shooting. Honestly I think walcott would have had a much more influential season had it not been for his injury in september. As it is, he’s not been overhyped (this season) and that probably suits as there’s less pressure
I believe you cannot compare that 2 players.You can compare this players in 2 years.When Bale have been in his full ponpential and walcott be a player than know what he want
I thought this was an interesting point, but may not take into account the Van der Vaart/Crouch factor. Many of tottenham’s goals come from cross into to crouch and knocked down to Van der Vaart. Also, if you look at Walcott during the West Ham game, rarely did he rely absolutely on his pace, and I too am noting the maturing in Walcott’s game. I’m generally not as big a fan of Tottenham players because their strategy is usually pretty based on less sophisticated interplay such as long balls and crosses. I bring this up because I generally see Bale being somewhat one-dimensional and lacking in interplay between his midfield and forwards in the way that arsene demands of his offensive unit. However, I don’t think europe has quite figured out how to handle Bale and he’s looked superb. Furthermore, I think the footballing community views Bale as a newer and hotter item than Walcott, who has been beating defenders and thrashing defenses for awhile now.
To one of your latter points, it seems to me that when Arsenal are generally not playing well, they think less to rely on width, which is what walcott thrives on. You can seen how Walcott hugs the line much more than Nasri does on the other side. (http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/01/16/west-ham-0-3-arsenal-tactics/) To me, Walcott seems to be less of the focal point of attack and more of just another option towards goal, which is often ignored.
‘not quirky’ is an idiot. Probably a spud too. Just saying.
Thank you for so much feedback regarding the article. I do use statistics in the article to back up opinion, however the important thing to remember is that it is just opinion! Making a comparison between Bale and Walcott is just something I thought would attract readers and stimulate conversation….and it has! I agree their are so many confounding factors that could go in the article, however if i was to cover every detail i’d still be typing the original. Both excellent players in their own right who have something a little different to offer. I would just like to see Walcott starting every match and to see him believing in his ability a little more. DH
Your analysis forget one big point. Team in Europe were not afraid of Spurs (first time in the champion’s league), so most attack Spurs and defended a high line. That play in the hand of a counter attacking, speedy team.
In the premiership, Spurs is viewed as a big team meaning that often team parked the bus against them. By defending deep, premiership team denies Spurs their main advantage which is the speed of their wingers with Modric able to release them in space. That’s why they quite often resort to long diagonal ball to Crouch knocking it down to Van der Vart of any other on coming midfield player.
That’s why Spurs’s most surprising results have been against team who refuse to play and are not afraid to just kick and rush.
Another point is that Bale is left footed.
Because the vast majority of players are right footed, defenders encounter fewer left footed wingers. Out of that smaller numbers very few are fast and direct. That combination with the power is what is making Bale so scary.
I also think that Theo Walcott’s overall game is maturing much more than Bale. Until this season Bale had not played as much as Theo. Walcott does not rely any more exclusively on his pace to score.
Contrarily to Alan Hansen and Chris Waddle’s opinion Theo has a football brain. Arsenal’s second goal is not a fluke he deliberately moved ahead of Wayne Bridge by the other side. The other side being the usual side to which a fullback expect a striker to go.
Walcott has been on fire all season!
He got injured in-between but he’s been a lethal weapon when starting games as well as from the bench.
He’s proved he’s not just a ‘supersub’
i know im an arsenal fan so ill start with theo, good player but crossing is very poor despite finishing improved greatly, still not a finished article and only starts cozz of arshavins poor work rate and general disinterest in games. but with bale im soooooo confused he scores a hat rick against inter milan against a brazilian whos not arsed defending and since then he is the best player ever, spurs dangerman, garbage. every defender since has had em in their pocket. i even recall after that match they played bolton they said gretair steinsson was goin to have the toughest match ever against world class bale that day bolton spanked spurs and bale did nothing of notice steinsson even scored he had so much free time and no worries of bale. theo BETTER player
just one thing, Theo is naturally a forward. He’s been playing ‘out of position’ since he arrived at Arsenal, and he and Wenger have always stated that he will play up front one day further along in his development.
I gave up reading at the words “If you’re an Arsenal fan, you may know more than me.” I mean, really, if you’re not going provide any enlightenment, what is the point?
Already hes showing his class.He has desire,commitment and a level head which almost all English players lacks.Now hes getting more confident on the ball.Even Messi fears him and wondered why he was not selected in Egland squad for world cup.Wait for 1 more year and those who spoke against him will eat their own words.
For hells sake, Theo is coming back after a bad period of injury and only just getting back to where he was. What a bunch of pillocks
@Maxiumus
I agree with you! My entire article is based on my thoughts that Theo Walcott is an excellent player. I think he has a lot to offer over 90 minutes, not just 15 minutes at the end of a match. Injury has hamepered his season and statistically Gareth Bale has been no better…but that is only statistically!
Jay: Walcott fails to beat his man over half the time as he hits it 5yards in front of him and runs after it and he is only successful if the opposition defence doesn’t read it or is slow. He has poor close control which is why lennon is also better. Lennon although again the final ball can be suspect at least beats his man nearly everytime because he has pace and close control.
———–
Are you deluded or thick, none of Lennon Bale Theo Young Downing SWP Valencia Etherington Albrighton Malouda Kalou Coleman Jarvis are close-control dribblers, they are all “push & run” wide players.
Messi & Iniesta are more exponent of close-control dribbling. Please think before you write
Now does this mean that statistics don’t tell you the whole story, or that when Theo does play well, he plays even better than he gets credit for? Because Bale has been quite superb this year – and as a gooner I don’t say nice things about spurs players lightly!
I think some very interesting and valid points made by all. The one thing I cannot for the life of me understand is why Theo is played on the right?? If he played from the left a la Henry and where he played for Southampton, he would be forever cutting in from the left and shooting with his better right foot. If Wenger is half the person I think he is that is what will eventually happen and Theo will become a 20-25 goal a season player without a doubt!! Thoughts anyone??
nice article, another point you may add is that gareth bale has impeccable ball control even at high speed, while theo does not.
I think it is worth considering that Theo has also scored a few in Europe.
28 goals from 87 starts is not bad for a player of his age, most of his 71 sub appearances have been late on in games.
Both can be brilliant players, Bale has a better final ball right now but Theo is developing into a striker – as his movement for that goal against West Ham at the weekend shows.
Theo is developing in every game at the moment and is grabbing some big goals for us. He also loves scoring against Chelsea!
I lv them both bt walcot lack dribling spirit dat much needed in arsenal team.Which can nt be said to bale
There are many reasons why Gareth Bale is more of a ‘footballer’ than Theo Walcott.
1. Walcott cannot deliver a good cross
2. Walcott is injury prone
3. Walcott is disappointing when he is needed the most
4. etc etc etc
FIRSTLY, I AM AN ARSENAL FAN. YOUR ARTICLE IS RUBBISH.
1. Walcott is equally happy coming deeper to collect the ball and beat a player, – NONESENSE. THEO IS INCAPABLE OF BEATING A PLAYER WITH THE BALL AT HIS FEET. WE HAVE SEEN THIS SO MANY TIMES THIS SEASON WHEN HE KICKS THE BALL AND RUNS INTO THE DEFENDER OR DOES NOT EVEN TRY TO TAKE ON HIS DEFENDER WHEN HE IS ONE-ON-ONE.
2.Walcott is good in possession of the ball; showing he can confidently pass the ball and maintain possession in keeping with Arsenal’s style of play. –
I HAVE NEVER READ SO MUCH RUBBISH, WALCOTT IS POOR IN POSSESSION, POOR ON THE BALL, CANNOT PASS AND OFTEN IS A REASON FOR ARSENAL’S FLOWING PASSING MOVES BREAKING DOWN.( BUT OF COURSE YOU ARE GOING TO POINT OUT 2 EXAMPLES OF HIS PLAY OUT OF 10000.
YES – WALCOTT SCORED ONE GOAL AND WAS INVOLVED IN THE OTHER 2, HOWEVER LETS NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT HIS DEFENDER( WAYNE BRIDGE) WAS AWFUL. FIRSTLY – THE PENALTY WAS FARCICAL, ANY DEFENDER GIVING AWAY A PENALTY WHEN THE STRIKER IS RUNING AWAY FROM THE GOAL IS A JOKE. SECONDLY THE rvp GOAL WAS A RESULT OF AN INTELLIGENT DUMMY BY NASRI NOT A ROUTINE PASS BY WALCOTT AND THIRDLY WALCOTTS’S GOAL WAS AGAIN AS RESULT OF POOR MARKING BY BRIDGE AND A LUCKY FINISH BY WALCOTT – LET US NOT FORGET THE ABSOLUTE MESS HE MADE OF THE OPPORTUNITY HAD EARLIER ON IN THE GAME.
ASHLEY YOUNG, AARON LENNON AND SHAUN WRIGHT PHILLIPS ARE FAR BETTER PLAYERS THAN WALCOTT. I AM FED UP OF PEOPLE SAYING THAT HE IS A STRIKER AND IS PLAYED OUT OF POSITION. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BEAT YOUR DEFENDER ONE-ON-ONE ONE THE WINGS, CONTROL THE BALL, PASS THE BALL CONSISTENTLY OVER 10 YARDS, LINK-UP WITH YOUR TEAM MATES THEN YOU HAVE NO CHANCE OF BEING A STRIKER. WALCOTT IS A SIMILAR PLAYER TO MICHAEL OWEN, YET OWEN WAS WAY BETTER THAN WALCOTT AT THE SAME AGE. AND THE REASON WHT OWEN WAS PLAYED AS A STRIKER WAS BECAUSE HE COULD, CONTROL, PASS, BEAT HIS DEFENDER AND FINISH.
FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HANSEN AND WADDLE WERE ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON WHEN THEY SAID HE DID NOT POSSESS A FOOTBALL BRAIN!! EVEN OTHER ARSENAL FANS WOULD AGREE IF HE WERE NOT ENGLISH!
bjohnson – strong points. i have to disagree and say that Walcott can run with the ball. Of course, he does not do it well on a frequent basis. I refuse to believe that a footballer who has worked his way into Arsenal’s side cannot play with the ball at his feet!
I’m glad i’ve got so many people talking though, whole point of the article!
dannyholiday – I AM SORRY BUT THAT IS A POOR RESPONSS. HOW MANY PLAYERS THAT HAVE WORKED THERE WAY INTO THE ARSENAL SIDE CANNOT PLAY WITH THE BALL AT THERE FEET? ADEYBAYOR! PLEASE ANALYSE HIS GAME – HE IS POOR. DO YOU REALISE THE ONLY TIME ANYONE WRITES ANYTHING ABOUT WALCOTT IS WHEN HE DOES SOMETHING. TWO YEARS AGO HE SCORED A HAT-TRICK AGAINST CROATIA, SINCE THEN HE DID NOTHING. THAT IS WHY CAPELLO WAS NOT PREPARED TO TAKE A RISK WITH HIM. THEO IS AN AVERAGE PLAYER WITH PACE AND NOTHING MORE. I CAN THINK OF OTHER PLAYERS WHO WERE BETTER THAN HIM WHO ARE NO LONGER AT ARSENAL – MAYBE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ENGLISH – ALIALIDARE!!!
Walcott has little technical ability, he is all speed. He lacks tactical understanding. However he does have tremendous potential and could still be a top player.
Can’t agree with you about his finishing, if you look at his goals nearly every single one of them is a very tidy cool finish, surprisingly so considering his final ball sometime. But aside from his pace, his finishing is probably his best attribute.
Play Walcott upfront. He isn’t better than Bale out wide simply because he cannot cross as well but some of his finishing in the champions league and against Spurs was very similar to that of Henry in his prime. If Bale played with better strikers (like so many above have rightfully mentioned) then he’d storm the assists league with ease. Disagree with others that Lennon is better than Walcott though, both lack the final ball most of the time and neither make the right decisions on so many occasions; Walcott can score though, Lennon can’t. For every start in the world, watching Lennon in front of goal leaves you with no confidence that he’ll bury it whereas Theo is improving season on season.
I AM AN ARSENAL SUPPORTER – LET ME SAY, I HAVE NEVER HEARD SUCH RUBBISH( I AM BEING COMPLETELY RESTRAINED). THEO WALCOTT IS A LOAD OF CRAP!
All Gareth Bale is, is one dimensional. He just kicks the ball and runs after it. That’s all you see him do. End of!!1
Bale is just a Hype player had a good spell then faded, Theo has more all round game that's why his stats speak for themselves.
Bale is just a Hype player had a good spell then faded, Theo has more all round game that's why his stats speak for themselves.
Bale is just over rated his quick thats it .. Give me Walcott over Bale any day
Bale is just over rated his quick thats it .. Give me Walcott over Bale any day
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