Posted on Sunday, 22nd April 2012 by The Goon
Theo Walcott has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious hamstring injury during our dull 0-0 draw with Chelsea yesterday afternoon.
He picked up the injury in the 58th minute, yet the 23-year-old decided to play on, despite Arsene Wenger wanting to replace him immediately. Three minutes later however, he was withdrawn after aggravating the injury further.
During the post match interview, a frustrated Wenger spoke of Theo’s injury and effectively ruled him out for the remaining three fixtures.
The Frenchman said:
‘He wanted to stay on the pitch and carry on but I felt he should have moved off straight away.
‘The second time it was a real problem. It looks a serious hamstring. Now it will be tough to return before the end of the season.’
He added:
‘He should be OK for England. I don’t think he’ll be ready to play for us.’
To be honest, and I know this may come as a shock to many Arsenal fans out there, but I don’t we’ll miss him.
I know he has produced nine assists and scored the same amount of goals, but in truth, Theo has been very inconsistent and ineffective in a lot, a lot of games this season. I for one have been left unimpressed and frustrated more times than delighted with his performances this term.
In any case, with Theo out and vacating his right wing role until next season’s campaign, who should step in?
Well I believe there are six possible candidates for Wenger to consider for the job:
Despite Santos being a left sided player, Wenger could decide to play the Brazilian on the right wing. He may not be as comfortable in this position as he would on the other side of the field, but it would give the 29-year-old a chance to cut inside and have some shots on goal. It’s an option for Arsene to think about, but probably the least likely out of the five choices – suitability rating: 5/10
The French midfielder has played in these wide positions in the past and has been fairly productive when he has done. Has just come back from injury which may concern Wenger, but did feature in yesterdays 0-0 draw with Chelsea, and looked in good shape – suitability rating: 5/10
Is well out-of-form and has increasingly become a figure of abuse for The Emirates boo-boys. However, Wenger has kept the faith in Rambo and continues to feature him in the line-up. Taking this into account, the Frenchman may decide to slot him into the wide role to give him more time on the pitch and boost his confidence. I wouldn’t personally, but Wenger may decide to do so – suitability rating: 5/10
Has started Arsenal’s last two fixtures, and I’m pretty sure he would’ve started yesterday if he wasn’t ineligible. The Israeli is a very determined and seasoned professional who can create chances and doesn’t shun away from his defensive duties. A very possible option for Wenger to think about – suitability rating: 7/10
Can play on either flank, but looks more comfortable on the left one I think. Looks out-of-form and not really a goal threat, which may worry Arsene, but the Ivorian is a tricky customer who can cause problems – suitability rating: 8/10
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The obvious choice. If he’s not picked to play on the left wing then he should occupy Walcott’s position for the next three games. Is great going forward and not afraid to take on full-backs. His inexperience may play a part in Wenger’s decision-making, but I believe The Ox should be unleashed on Stoke, Norwich and West Brom – suitability rating: 9/10
Who do you guys think should fill in for Theo?
Give us your thoughts on the matter
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Tags: Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamnberlain, Andre Santos, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Gervinho, Theo Walcott, Yossi Benayoun
Posted in View From The Sphere | Comments (50)
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April 22nd, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Chamnberlin is infact playing that wing(7) better than Walcott.
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Big-D Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Walcotts 11 goals and 9 assists work out better stats wise than A. Young or Valencia or Mata. But do you hear their fans having a go at them every 5 minutes. NO. And IF Chamberlain had played better Walcott then he would be there all the time. But he isn’t.
So sick of ungrateful and impatient Arsenal fans. I bet last season you were also screaming for Rosicky to be sold!
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Neil of NY Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 4:17 am
Completely agree. Theo is a very dangerous winger and he will be missed. He doesn’t get anywhere near the credit he deserves. Ox will replace him but he is still learning- he is very young and has a way to go. It’s a pity Ryo is on loan.
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G. Mann Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 12:43 pm
NO. ROSICKY HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PLAYERS. HOWEVER I AM SURE YOU WAS BEGGING FOR WALCOTT TO BE SUBSITUTED AT HALF-TIME IN THE SPURS GAME! AND NO DOUBT YOU WERE SAYING HOW GREAT HE WAS AT THE END OF THE GAME! HE IS ABSOLUTELY SHIT AND AS LONG AS HE IS IN THE ARSENAL TEAM WE WILL WIN NOTHING. DO YOU THINK THAT EITHER MAN UTD OR MAN CITY WOULD HAVE HIM IN THEIR TEAM?
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Big-D Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 2:57 pm
No mate, unlike you I support the team- regardless of how they’re playing. Because I’M A FAN. I wasn’t spoilt by a couple of good seasons to the point where I believed that we should never fail. I’m a realist- not a moron.
I remember when we first started planning on the Emirates Stadium and AW said that because of the debt from that, it would be a while until we could compete in the transfer market. Unlike most armchair Arsenal fans- I remember the important facts. and I supported the team throughout.
Theo was bought during this transitional period and when he arrived he was made out to be the new Henry before he’d even kicked the ball. With all that expectation on his shoulders its no wonder he struggled to live up to peoples expectations, with spoilt and ungrateful supporter (like yourself) screaming at him instead of letting him develop properly.
Ashley Young wasn’t really given the credit he deserved until he was 25. Theo’s only 23. It is a well known fact that most players do not reach peak form until age 25-26 and that is made all the more harder when the fans who are supposed to be supporting them keep baying for their heads.
Idiots like you won’t realise what we’ve got till their gone.
Oh and MANCINI and FERGUSON have both MADE ENQUIRIES as to his availability during his contract wrangle.
TRY READING A PAPER ONCE IN A WHILE. AMAZINGLY THEY HAVE “NEWS” IN THEM!
G. Mann Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 8:43 pm
ANYONE CAN MAKE ENQUIRES. HOWEVER I WOULD BET MONEY THAT MANCINI OR FERGUSON WOULD NOT HAVE THEO IN THEIR TEAM AS A REGULAR. YOU ARE THE IDIOT! THEO HAS BEEN AT ARSENAL FOR 6 SEASONS AND IS STILL SHIT! AOC HAS BEEN AT ARSENAL FOR ONE SEASON AND HE HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A PREMIERSHIP PLAYER – AT 18 YEARS OF AGE.
NAME ANY PLAYER YOU WOULD ALLOW TO PLAY AT ARSENAL FOR 6 YEARS AND PRFORM SO BADLY.
HAVING BEEN AT ARSENAL FOR 6 SEASONS HIS CONTROL IS POOR, HE STILL CANNOT BEAT A DEFENDER ONE-ON-ONE( REGARDLESS WHETHER THEY ARE A WIGAN, WOLVES OR QPR DEFENDER}HIS PASSING IS POOR, HIS COSSES ARE POOR. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE REACHING THEIR PEAK, I AM TALKING ABOUT FUNDAMENTALS – WHICH ALL 18 YEAR OLDS HAVE AT ARSENAL – MORON! WHY DON’T YOU TRY READING FULL STOP!
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Big-D Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Sorry but how long have you been a football manager?
Who are you to say that AW’s decision to keep playing Theo is wrong? How many footballing Titles, trophies and managerial awards have you won in your career??
…What’s that- NONE?! But you talk like you know everything! Surely that must mean that your full of shit and your opinion on the subject of THEO WALCOTT means nothing to anyone.
People like you will be straight on AOC’s back as soon as he shows the slightest dip in form.
And I’m done.
Big-D Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zahlkRUJQT8&feature=related
Watch the video, eat your words, shut the fuck up.
April 22nd, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Play gerv in there he’s played well against chelsea and is in need of more game time and I for one don’t wanna see the ox play against physical teams like stoke !!!:)
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April 22nd, 2012 at 4:19 pm
why not sagna at the wing and jerkinson plays RB.
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April 22nd, 2012 at 4:23 pm
benayoun is preferable
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April 22nd, 2012 at 4:28 pm
In my view Walcott is the most underrated player in the arsenal team, he gets the team up the pitch in a matter of seconds although he does loose the ball on occasions, he truly is irreplaceable. Ox is the only player who is close to walcotts immense speed but still Walcott is the fastest player around there are not many who can stop him when he has got space in front of him. I think ox and gervinho will share the position for the rest of the season. We can’t overplay ox because we can’t have what happened to Wilshire happen to him, it’s the same with frimpong and coquilan
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Dan Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Ox over played? With three games left?
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Big-D Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Yes- overplayed. Regardless of 3 games left, he has still played far more games than he should have since his transfer from Championship club Southampton. The EPL is a much tougher league and he needs time to adapt. When he first arrived he was like a breath of fresh air, then after a few games he started to become less effective and now he’s almost non existent. He needs time to develop or else people will get too high a hopes for him and then when he doesn’t fulfil expectations fans will be straight on his back. Same is obvious for Ramsey- Arrived with so much expectation, played well, got injured, now struggling to reach the same level of form as before. Walcott arrived with even higher expectations, dubbed the New Henry, Struggled to live up to the hype. Diaby, dubbed the new Viera, Badly injured on Debut after a strong start, Struggles with injuries.
FANS- CONTINUOUSLY ON THEIR BACKS. BERATING THEM IF THEY EVEN DARE STRUGGLE FOR FORM.
So yes, we need to give him a break to allow him to properly adapt and make sure we dont overplay him
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April 22nd, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Gervinho on the right, Benayoun/Santos on the left. We need to rest Ox as MUCH as possible at this stage in this stage of his career.
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sagna Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Why would we rest him he’s hardly played
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Big-D Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 3:19 pm
This is in response to some else but it still fits-
Yes- overplayed. Regardless of 3 games left, he has still played far more games than he should have since his transfer from Championship club Southampton. The EPL is a much tougher league and he needs time to adapt. When he first arrived he was like a breath of fresh air, then after a few games he started to become less effective and now he’s almost non existent. He needs time to develop or else people will get too high a hopes for him and then when he doesn’t fulfil expectations fans will be straight on his back. Same is obvious for Ramsey- Arrived with so much expectation, played well, got injured, now struggling to reach the same level of form as before. Walcott arrived with even higher expectations, dubbed the New Henry, Struggled to live up to the hype. Diaby, dubbed the new Viera, Badly injured on Debut after a strong start, Struggles with injuries.
FANS- CONTINUOUSLY ON THEIR BACKS. BERATING THEM IF THEY EVEN DARE STRUGGLE FOR FORM.
So yes, we need to give him a break to allow him to properly adapt and make sure we dont overplay him
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April 22nd, 2012 at 4:51 pm
If anyone was watching arsenal from late december to end of january,one player covered the left and right flanks when our fullbacks were injured.he is more attacking than vermaelen and djourou,great defensivley and is far more skilful than the OX,Walcott and probably everyone besides RVP,Santos and Diaby.he is still only 20.amazing passing range and crossing as seen in the blackburn thrashing is part of his repetoire and he has come back from injury at the same time as Diaby.How can you consider Santos,Ramsey and Diaby as wingers and forget him? Im sure youve probably guessed it by now______Le Coq___!!!
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April 22nd, 2012 at 5:15 pm
The Bear agrees with Dom! One of the greatest mistakes Wenger makes is in not knowing how to rota his players so that they remain always sharp.
Gervinho and AoC were left on the bench far to LONG! Therefore they will need a few more games to perform at the level we see them in the past. Walcott, Song n RvP played to many matches.
What is the use of having a squad of 25, when you are playing just 15? 3 to 4 goal keepers when you play just one. Our problem is that we are not preparing well enough to challenge other teams.
That is not the players fault!
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April 22nd, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Hate the name as there is only one bear but have to agree wiv himwhy does wenger not use his squad. why have 78 players then play players out of position and rely on only 15-20 of them. its a complete waste of season ticket holders money.
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April 22nd, 2012 at 5:50 pm
I agree with Bc there is only 1 BEAR and that’s ME!
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April 22nd, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I hope Coquelin fully recovers speedily, he will bring back some speed and power into the side. I will bring back Ryo and prepare Aneke n Ozyakup as Ramsey is still having a crisis of confidence!
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April 22nd, 2012 at 6:27 pm
My final comment: The object is winning games and using everything at your disposal in doing so. Ramsey is a good player, but he currently carries around a losers expression which is very contagious.
As the saying goes: a team is only as strong as it’s weakest link.
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John Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 9:45 pm
The actual saying is “a CHAIN is only as strong as its weakest link”.
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April 22nd, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Coquelin, Benayoun,are perfect replacement if they are 100% fit. Looking at views of things now we cannot afford to lose any of the remaining matches. So beside the replacement we need commitment.
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April 22nd, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Wel 4 me i prefer ox or gervinho 4 dat wing.becos two of them has d speed has walcot.
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Gazza Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Somebody failed their English gcse
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GoonerBear Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Ahahaha BURN!
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April 22nd, 2012 at 7:44 pm
OX is d perfect guy. He has d strenght & speed required 4 dat positn. 1 points 4rm 2 games wit 2 injuries, so bad. God wil surely see us thru come d end of d season. I pray against any form of injury 4 d remainda of d season & beyond. Amen.
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Steveo Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
What language are you trying to speak here?
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April 22nd, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Pat Rice, lol!
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April 22nd, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Pretty obvious it would be Gervinho on the right, Benayoun on the left. Sub whichever underperforms or is most tired (probably Gerv.) with the OX at 62 minutes.
If Wenger want to try something unexpected, he could play Santos on the left in front of Gibs. Then play Song, Rosiky and Benayoun in the middle instead of using Ramsey. Gervinho on the right.
For those who are glad to see Walcott out, I say be careful what you wish for. What most of you fail to recognize is that even when Walcott has an off day, he mere presence still forces the opposition to play a more conservative line, which creates time and space for our midfield. Expect to see Arsenal struggle to play its free flowing high possession game. Thank god we don’t have to play anyone in the top 5 for our remaining fixtures.
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April 22nd, 2012 at 10:02 pm
This blog is consistent… Consistently shite. I am sick to death of no nothing clueless twats slating our players. Theo has been top for us this season, the fact he could have been even better shows his quality.
Where’s your head at?
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April 22nd, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Ramsy !
As the best player on earth and clearly the best arsenal player that ever lived !
Can easily play right wing.
Passes sideways. Passes backwards. Misses every chance. Repeated weekly flops.
Disappointment every year.
Worst buy and worst stats when he plays.
Angers most arsenal fans. Frustrates even a blind man.
Ramsy should take wilcot position.
He can ruin any position so why not ?
Arsene trusts him and we all want Arsene to prove to us why Ramsy is always favoured to better experienced players.
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Big-D Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Fucking armchair Arsenal supporters. Know nothing about football and only damage the team with their idiotic comments
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April 22nd, 2012 at 10:30 pm
I’ll like Arsene wenga to start Adre Santos at the first half, and subtitude him (Adre) in the second half with Oxlade Alex Chamberlain…..
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April 22nd, 2012 at 10:32 pm
it will be santos agains stoke.
stoke are a good stong team.
it wont be a game that alex will enjoy.
santos looked very good when he come on agains chealse going foward and he will help gibbs aswel.
with gervinhio on the right .
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April 22nd, 2012 at 10:33 pm
People should stop abusing Ramsy.
Yes he’s rubbish.
Yes he’s destroyed any chance arsenal have of winning when he plays.
Yes he makes Denilson look good.
He he’s over rated over paid and full of crap.
Yes he misses and shows more shameless bad displays every week.
Yes he’s a bad passer and no vision.
But he warms the bench amazingly for other real players to enjoy when they wanna rest.
Makes good tea.
Shines shoes.
Surely that is worth the high wages to keep him and selling cesc.
Surely Arsene.
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Josh Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 12:32 am
No vision? Did you see the pass he did on Saturday? The one to RVP?
“Fans” who constantly have a go at Walcott and now Ramsey need to fuck off. You think you are helping by groaning and booing? Idiots.
I don’t know who you supported last season but did you watch the Arsenal vs. Man Utd game? Ramsey was unbelievable, now piss off back to Spurs.
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Big-D Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Fuck off armchair Arsenal supporter. We do not need your negativity at this club, nor do we want it.
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Steveo Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Calm down, big D… A big lad like you could do some proper damage with a full head of steam like that. Deep breaths, big man. You replied to the wrong comment. Josh was being positive. It was the guy above him being negative. Now, big D, get your proper rage on again, but this time charge at Sebastian, not Josh.. try not to get your ‘guys with posh names’ mixed up in the future, big man. Could end up badly.
Just out of interest, big man, don’t you have armchairs in your house? Or would you stand if the game was on? Obviously you go to all the games ‘cos you’re a proper geezer, but if they were playing in Moscow on a school night? Would you stand by your easy chair or sofa on point of principle? You are probably the kind of big hard lad who only allows wooden benches in your front room, no ?
April 23rd, 2012 at 3:24 am
Benhayoun will be the one, as he has experience and work ethic, especially against teams like Stoke. Santos can also play there, as he had done for Fenebache
Diaby or Coq should replace Ramsey. He is absolutely knacked. If he plays at the Olympics, his progress next year will suffer further.
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April 23rd, 2012 at 7:54 am
I suspect Benny or Gervinho will replace Theo, with The Ox coming on as an option in the 2nd half. I dont see the point of trying to play a central midfield player on the wings (Rambo, Diaby or Le Coq).
I would love to see Le Coq play, but in the middle of the pitch where he belongs! Here we go:
Szezza
Sagna Kos Verm Gibbs
Song Le Coq
Rosicky
Benny Gervinho
RVP
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Naz Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 9:37 am
I like.
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April 23rd, 2012 at 9:36 am
Gervinho on right. He cuts onto his right peg far too much to play wide left.
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April 23rd, 2012 at 10:22 am
IT IS A SHAME HE DID NOT GET INJURED EARLIER IN THE SEASON – HE IS ABSOLUTELY SHIT!!!! WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE MISSED!
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Big-D Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Yeah 11 goals and 9 assists. That’s 20 of Arsenals 67 goals this season. Most of RVP’s goals have come from a Walcott cut back or cross. But yeah, totally wont be missed.
MORON
Even RVP gets it
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-Robin-van-Persie-Theo-Walcott-s-assists-are-as-important-as-my-goals-article861925.html
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Steveo Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 6:12 pm
EVEN RVP gets it ?? EVEN ?? You suggesting our hero Scoreswhenhewants is a bit thick, big man? That’s not very positive. Hope you haven’t accidentally sat in an armchair, mistaking it for a lump of rock perhaps, and gone a bit soft, big D ??
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April 23rd, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Well said G Mann, can’t believe the comments i’m reading on here, can’t people see the guy play? The man runs down dead ends 80% of the time. You can make stats say whatever you want, Walcott has one good game and eight bad games, no consistency whatsover. The fact we will miss him has nothing to do with how good he is, it’s more to do with how poor the squad is. Overrated cos he’s English!
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April 23rd, 2012 at 1:43 pm
I still think and hope that Gervinho will click and become the player he promised to be when he first arrived. His running at Chelsea towards the end of the game caused them more bother than anything that had gone before. Therefore I would like to see him given the run-in for the rest of the season.
Another eye-opener was how good Santos looked in midfield. I think he could be our next Gilberto given the opportunity, especially as Ramsey looks absolutely drained right now and I would like to see him start there.
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