Oxlade-Chamberlain being held back ?

[Acidmouse]

Oxlade played well in other cup games? or are we basing him solely on today?

[nirvana]

Oxlade played well in other cup games? or are we basing him solely on today?

I think he has played very well in the few games I've seen of him. It's more than just the performance though. Hard to explain exactly but he just looks totally comfortable at prem league level.

He looks to have all the attributes to be successful - quick, skilful, confident and strong - above all, very composed. Not really sticking my neck out here to say I think he will go on to be very decent class at England level

[buzzharvey22]

the first 15 minutes today i think over hit 3 pretty simple passes by about yard. and shoot from inside the box and put it about a mile wide. Shows how much of a pure punt Sven made in 2006

[nirvana]

This chap looks the real deal to me. I'd be picking him ahead of Walcott already.

Why do so many managers hold these extreme talents back ? Is there really any good reason, love to know what you guys who've dabbled at decent levels think. Really do think if you're good enough you're old enough.

Wenger on Ox off: “He started to fatigue. I’m 30 years in the job, I've made 50,000 substitutions, I don’t have to explain every decision'

I think Wenger is absolutely right. So many of our 'next superstars' are burnt out by the time they are 24 or their knees are gone. The guy is 18, his body is still maturing and growing. Putting it under too much stress too early is known to be bad for development and longevity.

Off the top of my head I can't think of any burnt out superstars at 24, where the cause was playing more than 2 games in 20

[ACE2M]

Oxlade played well in other cup games? or are we basing him solely on today?

I think he has played very well in the few games I've seen of him. It's more than just the performance though. Hard to explain exactly but he just looks totally comfortable at prem league level.

He looks to have all the attributes to be successful - quick, skilful, confident and strong - above all, very composed. Not really sticking my neck out here to say I think he will go on to be very decent class at England level

exactly like walcott did when he first appeared on the scene?

[nirvana]

OK 24 probs a bit of an exaggeration, but Owen has never fulfilled his true potential...Gerrard very nearly came unstuck at a young age (and lets face it, he still picks up more than an average number of strains etc)...Giggs had well documented hamstring problems early on (although amazingly he is going very strong)...Lee Sharpe (maybe party lifestyle could be attributed)...Theo Walcott (had alot of injuries in a short career)

Thats just off the top of my head. Theres been loads of 'next big things' that either have their careers cut short or just don't quite live upto the tag

I know what you mean tbf, but there's also a lot of examples of young players, playing a lot and going on to pretty decent careers over a long spell - Maradona, Pele etc.

I can't pretend to know more than Wenger but I know I'd like to see him more than a couple of times in half a season.

To ACE2M's point, he could turn out to be much like Walcott but I think he already shows a much more mature kind of football approach than Theo manages even now. Walcott has had some great games and earlier this season he was playing very well so he could still go from being average to consistently good - I hope so because he seems like a nice chap and gives 100% pretty much.

[Karabiner]

OK 24 probs a bit of an exaggeration, but Owen has never fulfilled his true potential...Gerrard very nearly came unstuck at a young age (and lets face it, he still picks up more than an average number of strains etc)...Giggs had well documented hamstring problems early on (although amazingly he is going very strong)...Lee Sharpe (maybe party lifestyle could be attributed)...Theo Walcott (had alot of injuries in a short career)

Thats just off the top of my head. Theres been loads of 'next big things' that either have their careers cut short or just don't quite live upto the tag

I know what you mean tbf, but there's also a lot of examples of young players, playing a lot and going on to pretty decent careers over a long spell - Maradona, Pele etc.

But when was the last time that a English/British 'next big thing' truly live up to such a tag? Whenever I think of a player they are usually burnt out by either playing too much too soon or the party lifestyle - or a combination of the two!!!

Rooney.

[GreekStein]

This chap looks the real deal to me. I'd be picking him ahead of Walcott already.

Why do so many managers hold these extreme talents back ? Is there really any good reason, love to know what you guys who've dabbled at decent levels think. Really do think if you're good enough you're old enough.

Wenger on Ox off: “He started to fatigue. I’m 30 years in the job, I've made 50,000 substitutions, I don’t have to explain every decision'

I think Wenger is absolutely right. So many of our 'next superstars' are burnt out by the time they are 24 or their knees are gone. The guy is 18, his body is still maturing and growing. Putting it under too much stress too early is known to be bad for development and longevity.

Off the top of my head I can't think of any burnt out superstars at 24, where the cause was playing more than 2 games in 20

michael owen

[The Baron]

Looked really good today. Had this convo on msn through the game about how he's miles better than Walcott.

Haha I wish Ralph!

I didn't lol. I'd be tempted to pay 25 m for any amount of pace though!!

[anthonyl]

Hasn't walcott had a part to play in like 80% of RVP's goals?

Chamberlain does look a lot better though. Comparing Arsenal to Spurs, who would get in the Spurs team from Arsenal?! Vermalean and RVP only for me, possible Chamberlain for Lennon.

Evra was immense yesterday, and I hope Rooney/Welbeck is used for England after his supension. Welbeck is fking awesome.

[MANTIS01]

Young Jack Wilshere has been out for months after playing too often when fatigued or injured and has been a terrible miss. I expect Wenger is pretty cautious about handling his current youngsters at the mo. If the guy notices his latest young gun is fatigued during the game and wants to replace him with the captain of Russia then fair enough decision imo.

Walcott has always had a poor end product and sadly it doesn't seem to be improving as time goes on. Great impact sub in all reality. Think poor delivery is indicative of very quick players, such as Tony Daley from Villa, who used to skip past full backs for fun before crossing the ball into the stands with uncanny frequency.

[George2Loose]

I'm not questioning Mr Wenger. Guy is a great boss obv. I understand the need to protect youngsters.

However in a game of such importance when this young lad was basically the talisman of the team that day and who had just had a significant impact surely you at least give him another 10 mins or the end of the game and let him rest up for the next game?

I have no idea who else was on the bench but Arshavin has been wank too which didn't help

[smashedagain]

Young Jack Wilshere has been out for months after playing too often when fatigued or injured and has been a terrible miss. I expect Wenger is pretty cautious about handling his current youngsters at the mo. If the guy notices his latest young gun is fatigued during the game and wants to replace him with the captain of Russia then fair enough decision imo.

Walcott has always had a poor end product and sadly it doesn't seem to be improving as time goes on. Great impact sub in all reality. Think poor delivery is indicative of very quick players, such as Tony Daley from Villa, who used to skip past full backs for fun before crossing the ball into the stands with uncanny frequency.

Jack wilshere has been drinking in a pub next to our kids school in scunny. No idea why he is here so often ( something to do with a 6 year old boy who died recently who raised a million for charity, jack marshal), but everyone says he is a diamond. A local drunk asked him why he was not a dick head like the scunny utd players. He just said that he would not want to let down his manager who has put so much faith in him.

[MANTIS01]

Think booing and creating a negative atmosphere just when Arsenal level the game is the proper shit decision on display. Reckon Wenger would've loved to bring on Henry instead.

[George2Loose]

Think booing and creating a negative atmosphere just when Arsenal level the game is the proper shit decision on display. Reckon Wenger would've loved to bring on Henry instead.

Yh agree. Even if you're baffled don't boo your team. Tho RVP's face also look puzzled