- 帖子
- 3092
- 精華
- 1
- 威望
- 75
- 魅力
- 2
- 讚好
- 0
- 性別
- 女
|
1254#
發表於 2006-1-21 06:18 PM
| 只看該作者
12:45 UK - Goodison Park
Everton v Arsenal
Preview Match Gamecast
Updated: Jan. 20, 2006, 5:12 PM UK
Everton v Arsenal: Preview
PA
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes new signing Theo Walcott can emulate the achievements of Wayne Rooney, the last high-profile teenager to emerge in English football.
Walcott cannot sign a professional contract until his 17th birthday on March 16 and so will join the Barclays Premiership club as a scholar until then after they paid Southampton an initial fee of #5million, which could rise to #12million.
Chelsea were also reported to have been chasing the teenager's signature, but the chance of regular first-team football at Highbury appears to have been key to the player's decision to further his career in north London.
When asked whether Walcott could be compared to England and Manchester United striker Rooney, who started out at weekend opponents Everton, Wenger said: ``At his age, yes.
``Wayne Rooney has achieved a lot, and I want to be cautious with comparisons. But he has the same ingredients at the same age to be a big prospect for England.''
Wenger accepts it is a risk to sign a player who has made just 23 first-team appearances in the Coca-Cola Championship - but it is one he is prepared to take.
``It is always a gamble when you take young players. I believe his attitude is what I expect for a young player; his talent is what I expect from a young player - but the rest of it is a gamble,'' he added in a press conference televised on Sky Sports News.
``The young players get a chance here, and we have concrete proof to show that. He will be a part of project to go into a new stadium with some talent, some young English talent,'' he said.
``But you earn your place in the football team. You earn your place through your competitiveness and your quality.
``We are looking to the future in a very big way, but also the present as well. The boy will be 17 in March, and at 17 you can play.''
Wenger has given Walcott some time off to adjust to his move and recover from a gruelling first half of the season with Southampton.
Defender Sol Campbell has passed a fitness test on his ankle and will be included in the squad for the clash at Everton.
England full-back Ashley Cole is out after picking up a thigh strain last weekend on his return from a long lay-off with a broken foot.
Pascal Cygan (hamstring) and Gael Clichy (foot) are not available. But youngster Kerrea Gilbert returns after a knee problem, and defender Lauren is expected to switch to left-back.
Dennis Bergkamp is fit following a virus, while Robin van Persie has returned to training following his broken toe. Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue are at the African Nations Cup.
Alan Stubbs has returned to his first love, Everton, insisting ``in spirit'' he never felt he had left Goodison Park.
The veteran defender goes into the squad for the home clash against Arsenal with a contract until the end of the season and the hope that he can impress manager David Moyes and get another deal in the summer.
He said: ``It is what I want, but I will have to show I am worth it.''
Stubbs moved to Sunderland last summer after captaining Everton to Champions League qualification.
However, after a row over a new deal, and claims that the Toffees wanted a clause in the new deal that it could be cancelled if there was a recurrence of the testicular cancer he has twice beaten, there was a parting of the ways.
Now Stubbs, who accepted Everton were prepared to drop the offending clause, is back after the Merseysiders sold Danish international Per Kroldrup to Fiorentina for #3.6million.
Stubbs said: ``It was very difficult to leave in the first place, for whatever reasons, especially after having a great season and qualifying for the Champions League.
``But that is all in the past now, I have said my apologies for clearly not understanding the things that were said at the time. I now know the club were prepared to wave the clause in the deal they offered me that referred to the testicular cancer issue.
``It was disappointing but it's in the past now. I'm really looking forward to being back here again and getting into the team.''
Everton should have Simon Davies and Duncan Ferguson back from injury for the clash against a Gunners side who scored seven past Middlesbrough last weekend.
Stubbs is relieved to be part of it all again, saying: ``It looks like Everton are turning for the better after five games without a defeat. They look good and are coming into form.''
[ Last edited by 我‧愛‧你 on 2006-1-21 at 06:33 PM ] |
|