I would like to see more diagonal runs from Theo because we know how effective that is. Overmars was often the third striker for Arsenal

International football has showed me what it must be like to be addicted to drugs. The 1-1 draw against Sunderland was my last fix of Arsenal action. The International break made me fidgety and irritable. I was waking up during the nights in cold sweats and everything, it was just horrible. Luckily I am getting a big dose of Everton at Emirates this afternoon at 3pm. Hopefully it will be a great buzz like against Newcastle, Blackburn, Bolton and Porto and not a bad trip like I had against Fulham, Hull and Sunderland.

If I have offended any recovered drug addicts out there, I apologise. I know that supporting Arsenal is much more addictive than taking drugs.

Arsene Wenger has had much to say and spurted it all out at Friday’s press conference.

I have to admit I chuckled when I read the headline Wenger – Walcott has a head start on Messi I read it with interest and our French manager had this to say.

“He’s different [to Messi at that age] and I think he’s more,” said Wenger at Friday’s press conference.

“If you have to look for a weakness in Messi you would say it is his ability to run without the ball, behind the defender.

“When he takes the ball to his feet he’s like a Ferrari. But Theo is more a guy who has the timing to run off the ball and that is something that is difficult to find.

“We had Marc Overmars who was especially good at that and I’m a great, great lover of movement off the ball.”

Talent wise there is no comparison between the two at any ages of development, but we all know that already. You can tell that Theo Walcott isn’t a natural footballer in the way that for example Jack Wilshere is but he is some wonderful raw ingredients that can be used to make him a very effective footballer. Vuja De, a frequent poster here said recently that he would like to see Theo Walcott develop a bit of cleverness on the ball and I would agree but I think at this age it may prove a little late for a player to develop technique, well enough to make a noticeable difference to one’s game. Theo has stated that he started playing at the age of 10 which is late for a professional. Had he got hold of a ball at 6 and kept playing until now then we could have another Henry, Ronaldo, Messi on our hands. This is not to suggest that he will not be as effective as those players but I can never imagine Walcott being as technically astute as those players.

How I wish I started playing before the age of 14! *sigh*

I think Wenger’s comparison to Overmars is spot on. I thought that about Theo when I watched his very first Arsenal appearance.

I would like to see more diagonal runs from Theo because we know how effective that is. Overmars was often the third striker for Arsenal and this allowed Dennis Bergkamp to have more options to find with those magic through passes. I have said this many a time on here now but Cesc and Theo will be like that when they can both get their best form simultaneously.

I remember thinking that an 18 year old Nicolas Anelka would be the quickest player to take to the pitch at Arsenal for the rest of my days as a Gunner but Theo has totally changed all that.

Arsene has revealed that Theo has been doing some work to make him stronger.

“He is a man now in the fight,” he said. “You feel he has much more power than a year ago, or six months ago.

“We do a bit of strengthening of the upper body but not weights, because I believe in football it’s more about coordination.

“Weights make you more rigid and coordination makes you more flexible and Walcott is a guy who has natural power. He will naturally become a strong upper body player.”

I have noticed that extra strength in his play so far this season and surely a lot will come from natural growth. The same can be said for most of our squad as a majority of them are still growing and developing physically. Being an obsessive Arsenal fan makes you start talking like Arsene!

Anyway enough Theo talk.. ok maybe one more thing. Arsene said that Theo could well be on the bench for the game today as he looked tired against Sunderland and then played for England according to ze boss.

So lets turn our attention to the Everton game.

Predicted Arsenal Line Up

Mean Lean Prediction

Plenty of rearranging isn’t there? It is only a guess but I cannot imagine Eboue starting at right back because a) he didn’t play him there when it was obvious to all that he should of done instead of changing the whole back four. I can only assume that Arsene doesn’t trust Eboue there anymore or he does not want to ruin his development. b) He wants to rest Theo, therefore he needs Eboue to take his place on the right. 3 of 4 changes to a defence is a risk but if Arsene does go with this then at least we SHOULD be better in the air from set pieces with Song and Silvestre. Had Djourou been fit then I would imagine that he would have been the one to replace Sagna with Toure playing alongside Silvestre. Hey, I could be wrong. I am just trying to read the manager.

I think Diaby will start on the bench due to lack of match fitness and sharpness. I think that Saha will play a wider role trying to join Yakubu when he gets the chance, hopefully not often and although they are missing many players I expect it to be a very tight affair with the odd goal in it.

My predictions have been pants so far, but I will keep plugging away until I get one right.

Arsenal 1 (Adebayor) Everton 0

Scrappy game, Arsenal having the lions share of the possession. Adebayor to power a header in from a right wing cross.

Chelsea could slip up at Middlesborough with their injury problems. Boro love playing the top 4 so keep an eye on that one.

Don’t forget to read James Poplett’s Everton Match Preview. I pray for three points and a convincing display.

Before I go, I would just like to suggest post match venting or praising on these pages as there isn’t much in the way of posting after matches and I would like to change that. Cheers guys and gyals, enjoy your day.

Mean Lean.

Your Vision

Don’t forget that you can submit your own articles on the YourVision section and receive feedback from fellow Gooners. Latest article YourVision – Why we fail against 4-5-1… (By Henry Friedman)