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The long, drawn out contract saga of Theo Walcott has finally been put to bed with the England international signing a long term contract at Arsenal FC. The deal is rumoured to be for a period of three and a half years at around £90k per week. This deal gives something for the Gooners to cheer, who in recent years have had to live through the ordeal of seeing their marquee players leave to ply their trade with other clubs. Theo signing the contract also completes the British Core at Arsenal which Arsene Wenger believes is critical for Arsenal’s success in the coming years. The sextuplet of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson all hail from the United Kingdom and comprise the “British Core” at Arsenal FC. Earlier in the season, as Walcott was still negotiating terms with Arsenal, the other five players committed their futures to the club by inking long term contracts at Arsenal.
For years, Arsenal have been mocked as a French club in the English Premier League after Wenger took over the reins at North London in the mid-1990s. True, Wenger has a propensity to sign French players; Olivier Giroud was the 24th French whom Arsenal signed under Wenger. While there has been the occasional English player in Sol Campbell or an Ashley Cole who has blossomed under Wenger, one can safely say Wenger has unearthed the best talents like Henry, Vieira from his homeland. The move to focus on British players marks a sea change in Wenger’s management. Clearly, the Ligue 1 is not of the same calibre as it was in the early years of Wenger at Arsenal. So Wenger has had to look elsewhere.
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The lower leagues of the English football have provided fresh hunting ground for Wenger and his scouts. An important rationale for Wenger going shopping domestically is that it is easier to get these players to commit to the long term future of the clubs. In other words, Wenger doesn’t have to invest heavily in a young talent only to unravel the Spanish or German DNA in them when they develop into superstars. Yes, you guessed it right; I am talking about Cesc Fabregas and his Barcelona DNA. But is all the hoopla and hype surrounding the current crop of British players at Arsenal justified? Can they finally end the trophy drought in North London? Let’s get right down to the ‘Core’ itself to see what Arsenal can expect from them in the coming years.
Jack Wilshere
Undoubtedly, the most precious jewel in Arsenal’s crown and the best player in the British core by a country mile, Wilshere’s meteoric rise from an Academy product to a first team regular is an awe inspiring story. His first competitive season in Arsenal colours was nothing short of breath-taking. To run the show and walk away with the player of the match award on a European night against a team that boasts the likes of Xavi and Iniesta in its ranks, and do it all at the age of 19, is proof of the brilliance of Jack. It was an absolute shame he had to succumb to the injury which kept him out for the whole of last season and the early part of the ongoing season. Jack is beginning to show glimpses of what he is capable of. His displays against Montpellier in the Champions League and Swansea in the third round FA cup replay at the Emirates have been impressive.
Jack Wilshere has been deployed by Wenger as a box to box midfielder thus far. One of the standout qualities of his game is his ability to drive forward and go past defenders with aplomb. He also has the vision to play the through ball to the strikers and has an eye for a goal. But what role does Wenger see for Jack in the long term? Will he continue to dictate play from a deeper position in the midfield or will he play behind the striker? It really is a tough question facing Wenger because the lad has been sensational in the deeper role so far, but one also gets the feeling Jack is the next Dennis Bergkamp in waiting for Arsenal in the number 10 jersey. Whatever be the case, Wilshere is the next big thing at Arsenal FC. Jack has been at Arsenal from the age of 9. He plays his heart out for the club. Wilshere has recently come out saying he regards Steven Gerrard as his role model. Gooners are convinced he can emulate Stevie G’s success on the field, or even better him. What would please them even more is if Jack can be a one club man throughout his career, like his role model.
Theo Walcott
Another product from the famous manufacturing line of Southampton, Theo signed for Arsenal as a 17 year old. And after six years at the club, he still represents a mixed bag. He can be unplayable at times and very frustrating to watch when he doesn’t get into his rhythm. But what is good about his game is that he has constantly been improving. His decision making in the final third is much better this season than in the previous ones. The same can be said of his finishing as well. Theo’s USP is his lightning quick pace. His burst of pace coupled with his dribbling skills can wreak havoc with defences. But at times it is the same pace which hampers his decision making. As Wenger once noted, because everything happens so fast with Theo, it is even more difficult for Theo to make the right decision at times.
One of Theo’s brilliant moments in an Arsenal was his sprint across Anfield going past seven Liverpool players in a Champions League tie to set up Adebayor for a tap in. With his pace, one would feel it’s natural for Theo to play on the wings. But he sees himself as a striker leading the line. Serious doubts are being raised about his lack of strength and his ability to hold up play as a striker; his game is far too one dimensional to be successful as a striker. Theo hopes to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Thierry Henry at Arsenal. Can Theo prove his critics wrong? In the game against Magpies recently, he showed what he is capable of; hopefully it was not a flash in the pan and he can produce more of those.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Another Southampton product, questions were raised when Wenger invested close to £12 million on another unproven young player. But Wenger knew what he was doing. Wenger has been circumspect with the development of the Ox. He hasn’t thrust him on to the big stage like he has done with Jack. He is a regular in the cup ties but doesn’t play in the League week in week out. It is understandable, as he is still very much work in progress. While he can go past defenders with ease given his dribbling skills and his burst of pace, there are aspects to his game that needs to be worked on. His ability to support the full back in defence is an example. Chamberlain has certainly impressed in the limited number of outings in an Arsenal jersey. His performance against AC Milan at the Emirates testifies this. Another great outing by the Ox was in the 2-1 defeat against Man United at the Emirates; the fans actually started booing when he was taken off. Like Walcott, Chamberlain still hasn’t been assigned a fixed role in the Arsenal team. While he has mainly played from the wings, there has been the occasional game when he has occupied a more central role in the midfield and has impressed. Winger or attacking midfielder, the future certainly looks bright for the Ox.
Aaron Ramsey
If ever there was a player at Arsenal who gets an unwarranted amount of stick from all quarters, it has to be Arsenal’s Welsh captain. A massive talent, but you have to feel for Aaron, given the developments in his career. Wenger plucked Aaron from United’s clutch in 2008 from the Bluebirds. Ramsey is another player who Wenger nurtured very prudently. Just when Arsenal began reaping the dividends of their investment in the Welshman, horror struck in the Britannia Stadium when Shawcross’ reckless challenge left him injured for a long spell.
In the 2011-12 season, Aaron had to fill the big shoes of Cesc Fabregas, following the Spaniard’s departure to the Catalan giants. With expectations set very high, Aaron didn’t live up to them. Playing him in a wide position hasn’t augured too well, given his lack of pace. I personally feel Aaron can do a neat job like a Xabi Alonso or a Mikel Arteta, given his wide range of passing. He needs to be more defensively disciplined to take up this role. Wenger has experimented with Aaron in this role; in fact he started his Arsenal career in that role. With time, Aaron will surely become the player he is capable of. The Arsenal faithful will do well to give him time to find his feet back, they mustn’t forget the lad is only 22.
Kieran Gibbs
Successor to Ashley Cole? It does seem likely, but there is still a long way to go before it can become a reality. Kieran is an Arsenal Academy product. Gibbs has been good in an attacking capacity for Arsenal in a left back position. There are still defensive fragility in his game, which he needs to work on to claim the title of Cole’s successor. The major problem with Gibbs has been the niggles and injures that have plagued his time in an Arsenal jersey. Just as he puts in a string of games, he does his hammy or calf muscle that keeps him out of the game for a month. If Gibbs can work on his defensive game and put his injury nightmares behind him, he can develop into a truly world class left back.
Carl Jenkinson
At times, you just have to give it to the French gaffer. Many branded Wenger as crazy when he bought Jenkinson from Charlton, a League One side. Wenger did see something in Carl that others didn’t. After a lukewarm first season, in the 2012-13 season Carl is repaying Wenger’s faith in him with a string of impressive performances. The Right Back position has become one of the well-stocked and insured places in the Arsenal starting 11. Carl Jenkinson has an excellent whip on his crosses, he is quick and can join in attack and tracks back as well to do his defensive duties. The lad has worked on his fitness and seems ready for the physicality of the English game in his second season. He is also in the mix of things for the Three Lions. There are reasons why the Arsenal faithful say “In Arsene We Trust”. Jenkinson’s signing is just one of them.
A common feature about the British core is that they are all young and in their early twenties. They stand at a point in their career from which they can push on and conquer the world, provided they are nurtured properly. Who better than Arsene with his proven track record of transforming kids to world beaters can guide them to greater heights in their career? It would be a shame if they were to follow in the footsteps of a Nasri or a Clichy and not repay the faith that Wenger has put in them. This is where the British Core’s love for Arsenal comes into play. I personally feel it is this Arsenal DNA in them which differentiates them from the Nasris and Clichys.
With loyalties firmly attached to Arsenal and talent in their veins, may the British Core usher in a new golden era at Arsenal.
