From the start of the 2008/09 campaign Theo Walcott will wear Thierry Henry’s old No 14 jersey.
The English forward will vacate the No 32 shirt that he has worn since his arrival at the Club from Southampton over two-and-a-half years ago.
Walcott enjoyed his finest season with the Gunners last term, grabbing his first Premier League and Champions League goals. His growth into one of the country’s brightest talents culminated in a recall to the England set-up for the fixture against Trinidad and Tobago.
I personally just hope this doesn’t put extra pressure and expectation on the young lad’s progress. It’s a big shirt to fill, and I’m in no doubt that Theo will become a world class player in the future, but I see this as an unnecessary burden for him to take on. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, it’s only a number after all, but Le Boss cunningly gave the number 10 to a defender so comparisons could never be drawn with the legend that is Dennis Bergkamp.
Give your opinion, on Gooner Talk.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Excellent For Theo..
Btw, he’s the picture of Nasri’s farewell message to marseille with the manager with him:
http://www.sports.fr/images/slideshow/dujour/2008/1/639-les-adieux-de-nasri.jpg
June 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
its a number, only 1 th and only 1 theo.theo is the best english prospect for many many years a really exciting prospect.aw has nurtured.theo will have no fear of the famous 14 and aw knows it
June 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
wow its not just one pair of boots to fill its a freaking size 14 to fill it aint gonna be easy… hopefully with his experience so far will help him come down as an arsenal great better den cliff bastin was.. since they both came from the same position
June 27th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
no pressure, then
June 27th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I think it does put more pressure on him, but I can’t decide whether that’s good or bad. After seeing how well Theo dealt with all the criticism, expectation and pressure to perform last season I’d say it might spur him on even more…
It seem pretty strategic to me - typical of Wenger. He is saying “watch out for Theo next season” and I like that
June 27th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
how do know this because I looked on the Arsenal website and he still has 32 plus the official numbers were released not that long ago so why would that change it now?
June 27th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
go check again it was just announced
June 27th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I think this is another great move by Wenger. Thierry was an icon to Theo and being given his shirt should be a great inspiration to him.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Great confidence boost from the Club/Manager to be offered it and big bollox from Theo to accept IMO…good news all round
June 27th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Gerets regrets the departure of the talent Samir Nasri
http://www.20minutes.fr/article/239670/Sport-Coach-Gerets-regrette-deja-le-talent-de-Nasri.php
June 27th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I agree with John.
It will inspire him just like Cesc was inspired when he took PV’s number 4 shirt.
Come on Theo!
June 27th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
did change mate ckeck now
June 27th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I hope Theo uses this as inspiration… He has handled all the pressure so far in his career, i don’t see why he wouldn’t be able to handle this. He’ll still play a lot of games on the wing this season though, especially if ade stays.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Theo CHOSE this number - of course he is ready to take on the responsibility. I have no doubt that he will be another Arsenal legend.
TW14!
June 27th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Top, TOP news! I can only see positive things about this. Well done Theo or whoever was behind this. It would be really nice to know what happened between this and time when numbers first was announced. Good luck Theo, show everybody, you’re worth of that number.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
How do you know he chose the number mate?
I’m reporting on the news which is concrete, not mere speculation.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Agree Chris.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Theo go for it !!!!!!!!……….. fear nothing “you deserve 14 shirt
June 27th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Great! Was thinking the other day that he should get a different number.
Also how long does it take for arsenal membership cards to come through?
June 27th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Good for theo & i hope he does do what fabs did when he took veira’s shirt
& think he will as he’s not like other english players & has he’s feet on the ground..
June 27th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Very good news. May be a big responsibility though. I think he is fully capable of dealing with it though.
Anyways please look at my website for the New Arsenal shirt.
I have also put one up on ebay and may be putting up a few more in the coming days.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250264162818
June 27th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
just looked myself an his still listed as 32???
June 27th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
correction listed as 32 but headline story says 14 just not updated squad list on site
June 27th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Here you go guys. Confirmation from Arsenal.com
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=493310&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Walcott+to+wear+No+14+from+2008/09+campaign
June 27th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Here are the squad numbers in full:
1. Manuel ALMUNIA
2. Abou DIABY
3. Bacary SAGNA
4. Francesc FABREGAS
5. Kolo TOURE
6. Philippe SENDEROS
7. Tomas ROSICKY
8.
9. EDUARDO
10. William GALLAS
11. Robin VAN PERSIE
12. Carlos VELA
13. Alexander HLEB
14. Theo WALCOTT
15. DENILSON
16. Aaron RAMSEY
17. Alexandre SONG
18.
19. GILBERTO
20. Johan DJOUROU
21. Lukasz FABIANSKI
22. Gael CLICHY
23.
24. Vito MANNONE
25. Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
26. Nicklas BENDTNER
27. Emmanuel EBOUE
28.
29.
30. Armand TRAORE
31. Justin HOYTE
June 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Check again..
It blatantly has a short article on him wearing the number 14 from the start of the 08/09 season.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I still cannot understand why send-him-off is #6
June 27th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
In response to Theo choosing 14. Once numbers open up I believe that players can ask to take on a new number. I think it is safe to assume that Theo picked 14 rather than being assigned it.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
thanks for the link. I seldom go to Arsenal.com for news but the “Adebayor week” segment on the site..made me LOL! bubbye Ade.
June 27th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I love to see he wear no. 14 But I afraid he will get pressure from the no.14
June 27th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
expect 40 goals from theo next seasson
he’ll be playing as ST next seasson, we all know he is a superv finisher,
June 27th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
TW14..
Why is Gallas our number 10, we should’ve made someone like Bendtner have the number 10, sometimes, dare i say it, he does remind me of bergkamp
June 27th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
im glad that walcott has this responsibility he has only dealt with pressure oh too well. Hoorah for thierry/therry/thery/ther/theo
go on walcott
give em everything u got!
June 27th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Bendtner will surely wear No. 10 when Gallas retires and Toure will be captain then.Ade shld leave n Santa Cruz will be an excellent replacement tho Bendtner can easily fill Ade’s boots.Thanx TH14 n congrats TW14 u’ll make it.Veloso/Aquilani is a perfect Flam replacement.One centre back’ll also be a great addition.In AW we trust.Forever GUNNER
June 27th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Great to see that he has the confidence to accept the number 14 shirt.
But why is adebayor still only 25?
June 27th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Ade chose that number because of his idol Kanu.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
It is something of an honour for Walcott to be given number 14 and I`m quite sure he`ll make it his own. The only problem, as I see it, is the response from the fans and will they start comparing the two players talents just because of the number fourteen, I hope not.
It wasn`t so long ago on the international cricket scene that Shane Warne give his number 23 shirt to a young Michael Clarke it did him no harm, he`s the next captain of Australia. Talking of 23 I see that number is still vacant in the Arsenal squad. Mr Nasri, stand up.
June 27th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
WHEN nasri joins he will be number 8..im 14 years old and im gutted i have 32 on all my school books and even my trainers cant believe it lol but seriously so pleased for him he is a legend in the making and im sure he will be Englands next Michael Owen or even better not seen much on Ramsey but he has picked up some great reviews and does anyone have any links or information on Ramsey Thanks
TW14
June 28th, 2008 at 12:01 am
[...] Theo Gets Henry’s Old #14 Shirt [image] From the start of the 2008/09 campaign Theo Walcott will wear Thierry Henry’s old No 14 jersey. The [...] [...]
June 28th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Congrats to Theo. I think he’s up to it. Good success to him.
June 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
It is not just a number it is the number of a legend at our club. It is like giving a young lad Micheal Jordan’s number he would definitely feel pressured. The thing is that I hope it motivates him not tear him.