The world’s best player, Lionel Messi, has given England and Arsenal fans a major boost for the future by claiming that Theo Walcott is one of the most dangerous players he has ever come up against…doubters avert your eyes now.
The Barcelona playmaker believes that Walcott has the ability to rattle defenders with his blistering pace and was totally amazed not to see the forwards name in the final 23-man England World Cup squad this summer. Messi told the Daily Star this past Sunday (4th of July) of the bad decision Fabio Capello made:
“I must say that at the time I thought it was a bad decision to leave Theo Walcott at home, and I think that has been proved right. I can only speak from experience but he was one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against.”
The Argentine wizard came up against the Arsenal speed merchant when the Gunners met Barcelona last season in the Champion’s Leagues quarter final. During the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal trailed Barca 2-0, which forced Wenger to make a few changes, one being the introduction of Theo Walcott to the game. Walcott’s incredible pace sparked a remarkable fight-back which led to the Gunners salvaging a 2-2 draw; Messi along with his fellow Catalan team-mates knew that the England international was the key threat that night:
“Barcelona players are not scared easily but I can tell you that when we played Arsenal last season he truly worried us. When we were playing Arsenal at the Emirates, we were so in control of the game at 2-0 – with all respect, Arsenal were not even in the game – then Theo came on and changed the game. He pretty much single-handedly salvaged a draw against Barcelona that night.”
Messi went on to speak about the second leg at the Nou Camp, stating:
“Even in the return leg, our manager Pep Guardiola was telling us he was the player to watch out for, and the best players in the world like Xavi and Gerard Pique were telling us to watch out for him. The truth is that he really rattled him.”
With this being said, if the best player in the world has accredited Walcott’s ability, then why has the 21-yeard-old Arsenal man drawn so many doubters in recent seasons? It’s fair to say that the explosive striker make shift winger, has not lived up to the fans expectations since making the switch to the Emirates in 2006. However, the youngster has picked up a number of injuries which has no doubt stunted his development regime. However, not many fans have doubted the player’s talent.
Walcott has the right attributes to become a great player for club and country, but has not yet channelled it in the correct way, which is a really good reason for supporters to feel aggravated and frustrated with the Arsenal forward.
Many Three Lion fans were shocked to find out that the 21-year-old was not picked to take part in the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer. Others would have thought it was the right decision as he was not able to keep fit, and as a result, never played enough games to board the plane to the tournament. Lionel Messi (along with other English fans) believed that Walcott should have made the 23-man squad even if he were to play a substitute role during the competition. The Argentine explained to the Star, that if Walcott was able to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around against Barca when the two sides met earlier in the year, then who knows what he could have done in the World Cup finals:
“If he could do that against Barcelona, think what he could have done against Germany and Algeria. Even if he didn’t start, he would still have been very important for England. Along with Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero, he would have been the best impact player at the World Cup.”
Of course Messi’s recent statement will no doubt have England fans talking and would probably have reinforced their on views on the player becoming a great player for the future. However, without the Argentine knowing, Messi may have heaped even more pressure on the young Englishman performing for the upcoming season for club and country. Although, if the best player in the world regards Walcott as ‘dangerous’, then surely doubters of the Arsenal mans talent will have to change their minds on the player in the near future.
Follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/TMer4kl1
Get the latest Arsenal news on Twitter
**
Click on image below to see the ITALIAN babes at the World Cup
