The Latest on Walcott: Is The Writing On The Wall?
It’s all gone quiet on the Theo Walcott contract issue – the latest in contract sagas that dominates the Arsenal agenda; it’s par for the course for your average Gooner. And it’s fucking soul destroying.
Many of the Press pack won’t go near the latest developments (or non-developments) as they don’t want to burn any bridges, but as football journalism is no longer my living – and there’s so many shit-strewed column inches written about Arsenal – I’m willing to provide the latest.
First and foremost, Theo Walcott is a fine professional. He doesn’t cause trouble behind the scenes like many of our recent contract rebels. In fact, throughout this entire episode he’s got his head down and concentrated on his game – and staying as fit as he can without breaking down. There’s been no skulking about, no refusing media obligations and no threats to go on strike.
In fact, I hear that Walcott would like to sign an extension at Arsenal and kick-on (a career that has been hampered by injury and hype-induced-pressure) at a time when his game is maturing and coming to fruition.
Of course, there is one obstacle: money. Walcott’s people believe he is worth £100k a week. Arsenal don’t. They value him at £75k a week. This much you all know.
What hasn’t been reported is this: The company line from the club is that Walcott’s agent says they do not want to meet to discuss matters further; yet Walcott’s agent is saying the opposite. And it has also been mooted from Walcott’s agent that Arsenal did make an increase on their £75k a week offer to £77k a week – which is as much as a flicking of the v’s as it would be to refuse to budge on £75k a week. The Walcott camp want closer to £100k as they know they can get that elsewhere, with Liverpool desperate to sign the boyhood Red – and even rumoured to have agreed a financial package (not with Arsenal). City are also interested.
So, as with many a deal, one party is feeding bum info to the Press. And while this carries on with no resolve it will only end one way.
As with Bacary Sagna, Arsenal are drawing a line in the sand. They will not be dictated to by agents and players. They’re fed up of strike threats, being told which players to sign and being shown absolutely no loyalty. They won’t be held to ransom. Whether that is right or wrong in the minds of season ticket holders paying some of the highest prices in football is open to interpretation. One thing is certain: Arsenal need to stop losing their best players.
I understand both parties are confident of reaching an agreement at around the £80k a week mark. Most Gooners would see that as a big positive having endured so many of these soul destroying contract sagas.
But as we stand there is an impasse. And if an agreement can’t be reached Walcott will be sold in January – even if Wenger would prefer to keep hold of him. The Board vetoed Wenger’s request to keep hold of Samir Nasri in favour of cashing in on an asset, and they will do the same. And people say Wenger has too much control at Arsenal Football Club…
Losing our best player is one thing, we should at least replace them properly.
First thing I’ve seen that makes me a little optimistic about his contract, so thanks for that, if nothing else. I can’t help but feel cynical though when he knows he can get more money elsewhere, he’s a footballer so why wouldn’t he?
Incidentally, what makes you think the board vetoed Wenger over Nasri? I know it’s water under the bridge at this point but I’d be interested to hear it, or is it just the way he seemed confident about keeping Nasri just before we sold him?
Couple of questions.
Aren’t circumstances different now compared to when we sold Nasri (player had his head turned by money from City) as our new deals ensure we don’t have to sell to avoid a loss or generate new transfer funds?
Wouldn’t offering Theo greater than 80k a week make him our single highest earner greater than Podolski, Cazorla? Does he deserve to be on that much even if others can offer him more?
If Walcott wants to stay, shouldn’t he be more willing to compromise when he’s getting a 25-30% increase in his current wages as compared to becoming the highest earner?
Isn’t the club right to take a firm stance of not being held to ransom? Whether its agents leaking info to the press or the players themselves saying something in the press?
What’s sole destroying is that both Theo and us have gone through all the pain of him learning his trade. Now he is starting to be more effective on a consistent basis, he’s going to leave. It seems clear that Wenger wants him out. I suspect he want Zaha. So yet again we buy a teenager, see him go through his learning period,only to see him go when he’s developed into a top player. A totally b****x strategy.
It really looks bad in 1 and a half year we can be without our best players. Clichy, Fabregas, Nasri, Van Persie, Song, Walcott and Sagna. Like them or not but they’d be playing week-in week-out but instead we have to(?) sell. As long Arsene is backed financially to sign same good player or even better I wouldn’t care much but it’s not the case.
Any news on incoming transfers?
We desperately need a holding midfielder
If Walcott wants to go, let him go as he must not be allowe to dictate to the club so as not to set a bad precedence
I heard that there is a clause that is preventing Walcott from sending the contract. The clause which states that the player would be paid a lower wage if Arsenal cannot get into the Champions League. Heard in the future, this clause would be included in all the players contract.