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Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Injuries Could Benefit Team
By Josh Sippie
The last thing that we expected going into Sheffield Wednesday was for two of our senior players to limp off the field within the first half hour. But that is what we were treated to when Arsenal’s exhaustion took it’s toll and Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hit the dirt. Both were non-contact injuries and both will be out for about three weeks (via Arsenal.com).
The initial reaction to all of this was “woe is us, here comes the injury train, parking it’s unruly behavior in our station”. At least that was my reaction. But there is actually a glowing opportunity for some Gunners in the wake of these injuries. Opportunities that may never have come without such happenings.
We will start with the injury to Theo Walcott.
Theo Walcott became the striker that Arsenal needed over the summer, according to Thierry Henry. While everyone had been clamoring for Arsenal to sign Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, all in one summer, Theo Walcott coolly emerged from the crowd, raised his hand and said “I will take the ring to Mordor”. Since then, he became the Frodo Baggins of this Arsenal side. He claimed the lead striker role and confined Olivier Giroud to the bench. Not too shabby, Mr. Walcott.
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In the process of doing all of this, Walcott taught Giroud a major lesson. That the Frenchman was not endowed to this striker role. Giroud has risen to the occasion in a situation that he has never been in before and re-emerged as the dominant striker we have seen in the past.
Now, Giroud has a chance to rampage about free of worry, but knowing full well that Walcott will be back. That means that Giroud will have to impress in these three matches. He will have to put on his big boy pants and score some goals, bully some opposing defenses and remind us of what he can do. As mentioned, he has a good head start already and it would not be surprising to see him go on a tear similar to his 16 goals in 21 game tear we saw last year.
Then, when Theo Walcott comes back, he will have to up his game as well so as not to fall by the wayside.
As far as the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injury goes, there is less positive to draw from it. Mainly because the Aaron Ramsey injury was an opportunity for the Ox. But again, in the wake of injuries, there are opportunities. Alex Iwobi and Joel Campbell did not figure to get much playing time in the Premier League this year. They were too far down the totem pole. The League Cup seemed to be their premium chance but now that Arsenal is eliminated, it would have been bench duties.
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Until the Ox got hurt. Now, the two have another chance to prove themselves.
Joel Campbell has to be approaching his last leg. He has proven what he can do in just about every other country except England. Maybe it’s a confidence issue, but whatever the case, he needs to kick it into gear and figure out how to make it in this league. He is 23. That is not the age of a prospect. It is the age of someone who needs to start finding relevance.
Alex Iwobi is still just 19 years old but he has the potential to stick in the EPL. Maybe Hector Bellerin spoiled us with how well he stuck, but the Spaniard proved it can be done. Put in a tough situation, Bellerin latched onto the starting role and never let it go.
It will not be that easy for Iwobi. Ramsey will get the role back no matter what upon his return. But Iwobi can make a serious statement if he can replicate his preseason success.
Then, when the Ox comes back, he will be aware of the fact that Iwobi is making statements. Hello, internal competition.
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