Wenger: I’ll Replace Walcott With Big Name If He Leaves

By Gooner Mac Published: 17th November 2012

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has teased fans by claiming Theo Walcott will be replaced by ‘another big name’ unless he commits his future to the club before January, according to ESPN.

The 23-year-old winger is in the final year of his contract at the Emirates and has so far been unable to agree terms over a new deal. Theo is believed to be holding out for £100,000-a-week while we’ve only offered £75,000-a-week, but another main sticking point seems to be the position he’s played.

Walcott is keen to be given more playing time up front and is reluctant to put pen-to-paper on a new contract without being given assurances he’ll be given a more regular striking role.

Arsene Wenger remains confident an agreement can be reached but has set a deadline of the end of December for the situation to be resolved either way, opening up the possibility that Walcott will be sold in January if he hasn’t signed a new contract. The boss has now claimed that if he does leave, he will replace him with ‘another big name or make another big name’.

“It’s always important to keep your best players but if it should happen that Theo goes, we’ll replace him with someone, another big name or make another big name,”

Wenger is quoted as saying by ESPN.

Replacing Theo with ‘another big name’ would require us to spend a sizeable amount of money. So knowing Arsene, given the chance i think it’s safe to say he’ll chose to go with option number two and ‘make another big name’. Wouldn’t you agree?

Read more Arsenal transfer news

Perhaps that’s why Wenger has introduced Gnarby to first team proceedings during the last couple of months so see how he adapts to life in the first team squad? There has been a lot of talk about getting Zaha from Palace but now’s he’s played for England i think we’ll have to pay silly-money for him, so my bet is if Theo hasn’t signed by January 1st he’ll be off to Liverpool, Chelsea or Man City and we’ll promote from within.

What do you think Wenger will do if Theo leaves? Sign someone or promote from within? Get involved in the comments section.

Tyza says:

He’s just 23 years old, so i think he still on development period. He should remember that! He shouldn’t expect that big wage in this period! But i really want him to sign da thing. Such a difficult situation. I hope for the best!

9:05 am on November 17, 2012

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Teg says:

No player with big name will sign for arsenal medicore team

9:21 am on November 17, 2012

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Phanuel says:

There is Ryo Miaichi. remember that this lad has it all.This is why Wenger is confident that the departure of Walcott is not untimely.Have you watched Ryo of recent? He is a finished product that is consistent.Up! up! Arsene.

9:38 am on November 17, 2012

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- Millz says:
  
  Consistent? He’s played a handful of games so how can you judge his consistency?
  
  9:50 am on November 17, 2012
  
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mario says:

Please let him leave that f—cking pretender.He cant even cross the ball.please replace him with a quality,proven striker.

9:47 am on November 17, 2012

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fnice says:

Ryo @millz i support u on that u know football

10:14 am on November 17, 2012

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ibrahim says:

Let he leave,but wenger would replace he i know

10:19 am on November 17, 2012

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sube says:

I think Walcott will do better in a mid-table team. Frankly he has not reached “world-class” level and it won’t hurt us if he does leave.

10:26 am on November 17, 2012

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Sikiki says:

Walcott would develop well while in Arsenal. 75K to me is Ok but he doesn’t want it he can leave and then sign a top class right footed striker. Walcott should know that Ronaldo is a winger and scores so many goals for his team.

10:33 am on November 17, 2012

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kabaraka says:

walcott is a top player and wenger must retain him and add one player in each department to remain competitive. This arsenal team cannot get to twenty points this month, watch this space……………….

11:08 am on November 17, 2012

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Dom says:

I don’t think we will replace him a player already on the team as Gnabry no matter how talented he is, he can not be expected to act a an expeirianced member of the team of which Theo is as he has been for a while. I think we will sign a playmaker in mould of Rosicky/Nasri as that is the type of player we need and we don’t have. Holtby, Isco, Turan, Gaitan, Eriksen etc… All possible solutions to our lack of creativity on the flanks. Oxlade will go out on the Right and we will add a striker to aid Giroud and Podolski. Ba, Huntelaar, Llorente, David Villa, Benteke are all capable of that role. We need a stable strike force where if one is out another can step in, which has been our problem over the past few years. My list for signings in January, Ba, Isco, Dragovic and M’begue these four players will solve our lack of strength in depth, we sign these four in January or players of a similar ability I believe we can make a challenge on the top three Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea. I think we should be taking advantage of Man City’s vulnerability, in January we can make a charge for a good finish to the season with a squad capable of getting us back to where we belong.

12:33 pm on November 17, 2012

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zyno says:

if does not want the deal then I think wenger should let him go… he his not bigger than the club so he cannot dictate

7:06 pm on November 17, 2012

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Arsenal damu says:

Arsenal is greater than any player. wenger never cares about a player’s options, sorry theo. Sign the goddamn thing

5:52 am on November 19, 2012

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