Arsenal and England were rocked earlier this week by the shock news that Theo Walcott will miss the remainder of the season, including the World Cup - jeopardising the hopes of both club and country in search of long-awaited success.
When Walcott was on that stretcher performing his legendary '2-0' gesture - prompting rather unsurprising behaviour from Spurs supporters - he seemed in good spirits. Well, he had to be to risk the wrath of those morons in the stands.
So naturally, what was initially reported as four weeks out has now become six months, causing widespread shock. Not only is Theo set to miss out on another World Cup, but the chances of his sides gaining silverware now hang in the balance.
Not wishing to dwell on the seemingly grim outlook on England's hopes in Brazil in the summer, it is Arsenal's title tilt that is of immediate concern.
Ever since returning from his last injury in late November, he has added a new dimension to an already thriving team. Having struggled somewhat to attack down the wing without any real wingers, our inevitably narrow game plan lacked the freedom our players crave.
So can Arsenal do without him again? Only Lukas Podolski has returned on the winger front while Oxlade-Chamberlain is still not match-fit, but the welcome emergence of Serge Gnabry will do us the world of good.
I thought Gnabry had an incredible North London derby on Saturday. Only 18 (like myself *sob*), but I think he's ready. More than ready. He is the kind of player you can imagine gearing up for an opportunity like this.
This is his big chance, and I reckon he will take it. He has shown his class already this season with a goal at Swansea and now it is time for him to step up to a massive challenge.
And he is the reason, if anything, that I am not entering panic mode. Losing Theo is a huge blow and young Gnabry is not on his level yet, but he carries a potent threat.
What also goes for us is that Walcott's got himself injured at the start of the January window and the as yet unknown plans of Arsene Wenger in the transfer market may now have to undergo a rethink.
That is because Theo's injury makes him the latest of a growing number of first-team absentees. I write this today with only one Arsenal centre-forward fit - and that, ladies and gentlemen, is the one and only Ju-Young Park.
We all wondered how we would cope if and when Olivier Giroud got injured but with Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott both getting crocked within days of each other, an actual replacement (rather than the usual Wenger compromise) is surely now the more reasonable and sensible option for the sake of our season.
What I have always wanted (ever since Bendtner was named as backup) is to loan a striker in for now and go all 'Mesut Ozil' on someone big in the summer. Why buy now when bigger names will be available later at a better price (not that money is an object anymore, right?).
But whatever Arsene decides to do, I will trust that decision. Arsenal fans are all too guilty of doubting Wenger yet he continues to deliver results. If Wenger thinks we can survive without Theo Walcott, then so be it...
...but just between you and me, Arsene, buy a bloomin' striker. Pretty please?
Come On You Reds!
When Walcott was on that stretcher performing his legendary '2-0' gesture - prompting rather unsurprising behaviour from Spurs supporters - he seemed in good spirits. Well, he had to be to risk the wrath of those morons in the stands.
So naturally, what was initially reported as four weeks out has now become six months, causing widespread shock. Not only is Theo set to miss out on another World Cup, but the chances of his sides gaining silverware now hang in the balance.
Not wishing to dwell on the seemingly grim outlook on England's hopes in Brazil in the summer, it is Arsenal's title tilt that is of immediate concern.
Ever since returning from his last injury in late November, he has added a new dimension to an already thriving team. Having struggled somewhat to attack down the wing without any real wingers, our inevitably narrow game plan lacked the freedom our players crave.
So can Arsenal do without him again? Only Lukas Podolski has returned on the winger front while Oxlade-Chamberlain is still not match-fit, but the welcome emergence of Serge Gnabry will do us the world of good.
I thought Gnabry had an incredible North London derby on Saturday. Only 18 (like myself *sob*), but I think he's ready. More than ready. He is the kind of player you can imagine gearing up for an opportunity like this.
This is his big chance, and I reckon he will take it. He has shown his class already this season with a goal at Swansea and now it is time for him to step up to a massive challenge.
And he is the reason, if anything, that I am not entering panic mode. Losing Theo is a huge blow and young Gnabry is not on his level yet, but he carries a potent threat.
What also goes for us is that Walcott's got himself injured at the start of the January window and the as yet unknown plans of Arsene Wenger in the transfer market may now have to undergo a rethink.
That is because Theo's injury makes him the latest of a growing number of first-team absentees. I write this today with only one Arsenal centre-forward fit - and that, ladies and gentlemen, is the one and only Ju-Young Park.
We all wondered how we would cope if and when Olivier Giroud got injured but with Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott both getting crocked within days of each other, an actual replacement (rather than the usual Wenger compromise) is surely now the more reasonable and sensible option for the sake of our season.
What I have always wanted (ever since Bendtner was named as backup) is to loan a striker in for now and go all 'Mesut Ozil' on someone big in the summer. Why buy now when bigger names will be available later at a better price (not that money is an object anymore, right?).
But whatever Arsene decides to do, I will trust that decision. Arsenal fans are all too guilty of doubting Wenger yet he continues to deliver results. If Wenger thinks we can survive without Theo Walcott, then so be it...
...but just between you and me, Arsene, buy a bloomin' striker. Pretty please?
Come On You Reds!
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