Theo For England. Now!

By: Tom | April 23rd, 2009

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When you acquire a reputation as a club that doesn’t produce or nurture English players, it’s understandable that when that starts to change, people are slow to accept it.

Thus far none of my English players have really got a look in when it comes to Capello’s side. Walcott and Owen have both made three appearances each from the substitute’s bench, but that’s it. Last time out, neither of them even made the squad (although Owen was injured at the time). England just took on the Ukraine, winning 3-0, but no Arsenal players were involved in that either. Not even on the bench.

Walcott’s real life exploits against Croatia don’t factor into this game, so it’s hard to argue that he should automatically be considered for a place in the starting eleven, but his form this season should surely be enough. They ended up playing Joe Cole on the right for crying out loud. Likewise Jagielka. He’s been immense since he arrived, playing just as well in defence as in midfield, and he’s worth a place on his versatility alone.

Still, these players are all young and will no doubt get their chance. But Capello, pull your head out of your arse! Walcott should be one of the first names on your team-sheet.

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Fulham vs. Arsenal – Premier League
4th April 2009
English starters: 3 – Cattermole, Walcott, Bullard

Goals – Adebayor (57), (72), Stoor (89)

The big Togolese man continued his remarkable season, scoring twice to bring his tally to 16 in the league and 30 in all competitions.

I don’t see any English ready-made replacements I fancy nearly as much as Adebayor at the moment, and while Agbonlahor may have potential, I won’t be going native up front very soon. I expect it will be one of the last positions on the pitch to make the changeover.

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AC Milan vs. Arsenal – UEFA Cup Quarter Final, 1st Leg
9th April 2009
English starters: 4 – Taylor, Jagielka,Walcott, Bullard

Goals – Adebayor (27), Flamini (37), Kaka (53)

It’s hard to know where to begin trying to play against a team with a starting midfield that contains Kaka, Ronaldinho, Pirlo and Gattuso. As much as I love him, the name of Bullard on the opposing team-sheet just doesn’t possess the same impact.

Against the run of play we took the lead, as Adebayor raced through a stationary defence to prod home Walcott’s cross. Flamini came back to haunt us as we failed to pick him up at a corner and he headed home.

At that point I would have been more than happy to take a draw and an away goal back to London, but it wasn’t to be, as Pirlo latched onto a long punt up field from Senderos (where’s the loyalty I ask you?), had his shot saved at point blank range but then saw the rebound tucked away by Kaka.

We were second best, and the home leg is going to be an uphill struggle, but we managed it in the last round against Sevilla, and this time we have what could prove to be a very important away goal. One downside is that Fabregas picked up a booking which will result in a suspension in the next game, so our creative options will take a hit.

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Arsenal vs. Bolton – Premier League
12th April 2009
English starters: 4 – Taylor, Cattermole, Walcott, Bullard

Goals – Walcott (20)

An action packed home game that somehow only resulted in one goal. Bolton had a couple of good chances to equalise early in the second half, but similarly we might have scored three or four more and deserved the win in the end.

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The coming week sees the home tie with Milan as well as the FA Cup semi-final against West Brom. The board expect us to reach the final of both competitions, which may not happen, but personally I feel at least one is a must.