Theo Walcott

[Bari]

Would Rafa have been able to nuture a talent like Walcott compared to Wenger. I somehow don't think he could or can

[Woobus]

Would Rafa have been able to nuture a talent like Walcott compared to Wenger. I somehow don't think he could or can

I would think it is to early to tell, we need to see how the kids Rafa has purchased turn out.

[Bari]

I would think it is to early to tell, we need to see how the kids Rafa has purchased turn out.

Any news then on the 1st or 2nd batch of kids signed 4-5 years ago?

[RedReet]

that is really depressing, the lad has shown massive improvement in his game and can only get better. I dont base this on last nights games but his performance over the past few months. We saw it first hand when he caned out defence in the CL quarters and set up Adebayors goal. A real talent is developing at Arsenal, undoubtedly the best place for a young player to flourish

What I respect Wenger for is that he not only develops players but he gives them game time and trusts them in big games.

Would he have developed the same way at LFC over the last couple of years? I'm not so sure.

Almost certainly not.

He'd probably be playing a different position too

I doubt if we had signed Cristiano Ronaldo that he would become the player he is playing in the restrictive nature of Houllier and Rafa's teams. Not a dig, just a fact. Players like that need to be given freedom, hence why Ronaldo is never asked to defend and was given the freedom to make so many mistakes in his early years.

Would Rafa have been able to nuture a talent like Walcott compared to Wenger. I somehow don't think he could or can

What a load of crap. He scored a hat-trick, big deal! There are countless interviews were Wenger has stated he hasn’t progressed as well as he should have and he’s nowhere near the level he should be. He’s been **** for Arsenal this season too and probably wouldn’t have played as much if it wasn’t for injuries.

****, some people love to moan here.

[Parm]

What a load of crap. He scored a hat-trick, big deal! There are countless interviews were Wenger has stated he hasn’t progressed as well as he should have and he’s nowhere near the level he should be. He’s been **** for Arsenal this season too and probably wouldn’t have played as much if it wasn’t for injuries.

****, some people love to moan here.

mate I did say I didnt base it on his performance last night!

[RedReet]

But in 2/3 years, what has he done that's so great that everyone thinks Rafa would have missed out on or ****ed up?

[Nicey]

Had Moores and Parry given Rafa what he wanted in 2005/06, this guy is ours!

Imagine him on the right side up front with Torres, Keane, Gerrard and Babel.
We would not have the problem: Is kuyt good for a right winger??? ermm but he works very hard...

I have not read the thread but if memory serves me right he wanted to play for Arsenal even though he was a supposed red

[Rashid]

What like the freedom we give Gerrard and Torres?

In order to accomodate Ronaldo the Mancs severely restrict the natural game of the likes of Rooney and Tevez so you could say that's comparable to the responsibilites that are placed on the likes of Kuyt and Babel to accomodate Gerrard and Torres and it's not a fact it's your opinion mate.

I am not going into one about Rafa on here but you can't say that. Torres is back in our own goalmouth for corners and asked to feed off scraps and fight for 2nd balls. Gerrard does the same - you cannot say they are afforded the same freedom as Ronaldo. I also disagree that Rooney and Tevez have suffered, United have a very free flowing attack.

[Woobus]

Any news then on the 1st or 2nd batch of kids signed 4-5 years ago?

Well Scott Carson who made us about 5 million was it, then also Barragan and Sissoko who made the club money ? Then we have Antwi, Hobbs, Martin Anderson who still have a chance to make it at Liverpool.
Then we have Agger, Zhar, Plessis and Lucas who seem to be in the first team. 4 so far coming through or have made there name in the first team with hopefully more to follow.

[NICKZS]

What a load of crap. He scored a hat-trick, big deal! There are countless interviews were Wenger has stated he hasn’t progressed as well as he should have and he’s nowhere near the level he should be. He’s been **** for Arsenal this season too and probably wouldn’t have played as much if it wasn’t for injuries.

****, some people love to moan here.

I was making a point that Walcott chose wisely when decided upon a club that could nurture his talent effectively and give him more playing opportunities than most other top-flight teams.

Whether he fulfils his potential is up to him.

[BFG]

I am not going into one about Rafa on here but you can't say that. Torres is back in our own goalmouth for corners and asked to feed off scraps and fight for 2nd balls. Gerrard does the same - you cannot say they are afforded the same freedom as Ronaldo. I also disagree that Rooney and Tevez have suffered, United have a very free flowing attack.

Fair enough. I see two players in Tevez and Rooney who work around Ronaldo and basically do all his donkey work and chasing back. That's also a situation I see when Stevie plays behind Nando in that our midfielders are quire restricted.

The fact that we get everyone back for corners I don't think is that relevant to this point as Rafa would do that even if he were allowed to field 20 players but by and large it seems to work as apart from the bit of a blip that was last season we tend to defend them very well.

[Shaggy]

Fair enough. I see two players in Tevez and Rooney who work around Ronaldo and basically do all his donkey work and chasing back. That's also a situation I see when Stevie plays behind Nando in that our midfielders are quire restricted.

The fact that we get everyone back for corners I don't think is that relevant to this point as Rafa would do that even if he were allowed to field 20 players but by and large it seems to work as apart from the bit of a blip that was last season we tend to defend them very well.

Man United also bring everybody back for corners.

[RedReet]

I was making a point that Walcott chose wisely when decided upon a club that could nurture his talent effectively and give him more playing opportunities than most other top-flight teams.

Whether he fulfils his potential is up to him.

But have they nurtured his talent effectively? They bought a young lad with plenty of potential and plenty of pace. They still have a young lad with plenty of potential and plenty of pace. His final ball and decision making at times still leaves a lot to be desired, and although he has improved slightly, he’s hardly the world beater people were expecting at this stage.

And how can you be sure how much of an opportunity he would have got at other clubs? If clubs are willing to pay a high price for any youngster, chances are they are gonna play him. Rooney, Ronaldo, Lucas and Babel being examples that come to mind. Maybe if he had of had a few years in our reserves out of the spotlight he might have been twice the player right now.

After reading again I've just noticed you said 'could', and to a certain extent I agree which is why this thread could have been kept for a few years when he actually proves himslef, but for now my points still stand.

[Elvoz]

he was bought on the strength of good game(s) in a world cup

onwards....

[NICKZS]

But have they nurtured his talent effectively? They bought a young lad with plenty of potential and plenty of pace. They still have a young lad with plenty of potential and plenty of pace. His final ball and decision making at times still leaves a lot to be desired, and although he has improved slightly, he’s hardly the world beater people were expecting at this stage.

And how can you be sure how much of an opportunity he would have got at other clubs? If clubs are willing to pay a high price for any youngster, chances are they are gonna play him. Rooney, Ronaldo, Lucas and Babel being examples that come to mind. Maybe if he had of had a few years in our reserves out of the spotlight he might have been twice the player right now.

After reading again I've just noticed you said 'could', and to a certain extent I agree which is why this thread could have been kept for a few years when he actually proves himslef, but for now my points still stand.

He's still only very young and has a lot to learn but is clear that he has massive potential. I'd agree that he hasn't set the world alight yet but it takes time to refine skills and mature as a player and it looks like he is improving at the moment.

I'm sure you'd agree that Arsenal's ability to turn promising youngsters into world-class players is outstanding, and as such I'd say that he made a good choice in going there. Obviously it is impossible to say how he will do, but he's given himself every chance by opting for a club that has a great reputation for youth development IMO.