Why Arsene Wenger should vent his fury at England, not Theo Walcott
I wasn’t surprised Arsene Wenger lost his rag so spectacularly over Theo Walcott’s injury interrupted season on Monday.
But I was taken aback by the inference in some quarters that he was angry with the player himself.
Wenger has every right to be annoyed at the way Walcott’s situation was mishandled by England in the summer.
Walcott travelled with the England senior team to Kazakhstan and then went to Sweden with the England Under-21s for the European Championship.
That’s not Club vs Country any more. It’s Club vs Countries.
Walcott’s either a member of the senior set up or an Under-21 player. Not both.
The player who could be one of our most influential forwards in South Africa was stuck in the middle, powerless.
His treatment in the summer was a rare lapse of judgment by Fabio Capello and Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce, who should have looked at the bigger picture with Walcott.
Instead, Walcott came back from Sweden, got injured in pre-season with Arsenal and has barely kicked a ball since.
Wenger’s right to be mad but he should direct his fury at Capello and Pearce, not Walcott.
Which classic football manager are you? Take our test
Follow MirrorFootball on Twitter for breaking news, the latest opinions and fun stuff throughout the day
Get the best priced tickets to the best games at Mirror Tickets.
Win two tickets to see Fulham vs Man City with Mirror Football.
Post to :
Blog
Is this the longest long-range goal of all-time?
Football Banter 15:34 09/02/10David Beckham's scored from his own half. So has ex-Liverpool star Xabi Alonso. In fact, he's done i... Read More+
Blog
3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, February 9
Football Banter 15:00 09/02/10Almost hometime, and here we are again with another selection of good stuff we've found on the web..... Read More+
Column
West Ham's players should tell Sullivan and Gold where they can stick their pay cuts
Darren Lewis 14:54 09/02/10Personally, I’m getting a bit fed up of David Gold and David Sullivan using the media to justify boo... Read More+
Column
Why the Merseyside derby did football no favours
Darren Lewis 14:32 09/02/10The only things missing from the Battle of Anfield on Saturday were baseball bats and bomber jackets... Read More+
Column
Why Tottenham's players need to show as much ambition as their manager
Darren Lewis 14:28 09/02/10One win in their last five Premier League games and just three goals since the start of 2010.Tottenh... Read More+
Column
Liverpool remain on course to be third among equals
David Maddock 11:49 09/02/10What did we learn from the Merseyside derby, apart from the now obvious fact that it is the most vio... Read More+
Column
I'm quite happy with my Mersey derbies having a bit of extra punch
David Maddock 11:42 09/02/10I'm not adverse to a little violence in football, at the right times, as it happens.Let’s face it, t... Read More+
Blog
The run-in begins now, the fight to the finish, all or nothing at both ends.And while nobody would t... Read More+
Column
Brace yourselves Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season is here
David Maddock 11:18 09/02/10Here's a warning to all Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season has started.By that, I mean brac... Read More+
Column
Why two wins this week would be the perfect Valentine's gift for fans in love with the Blues
Birmingham City 10:58 09/02/10So... 37 points in February, is it time to crack out the champagne?Following a fantastic win against... Read More+
Blog
Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers
Football Spy 09:56 09/02/10From today's Daily MirrorArsenal loan star holds showdown talks after QPR axe - ExclusiveBaggies tie... Read More+
Blog
Arsenal's descent could lead to madness if Fabregas calls it a day
Laptop with Martin Lipton 23:00 08/02/10The descent has been steep and dramatic, a seemingly endless battle against gravity.But while Arsene... Read More+
