I too worry about Theo sometimes but I feel that if he continues to play with quality players and has a long stretch of games, he will deliver.

His pace is most definitely an option, but perhaps it’s worth comparing him to Vela, who is equally pacy if not as quick as Theo, but is better on the ball and is a more clinical finisher. Wenger reckons that Vela and Eduardo are Arsenal’s most clinical finishers when they’re in their element.

However his short purple spell earlier last season showed what he might be capable of. Vela to me is much more of a natural footballer (as you say) & with him I am sure it is just a matter of time before he becomes a regular. Maybe 1 or 2 seasons for both of them but Theo is so reliant on pace that he needs a long stretch of full fitness.

And Im with you Darius on that deflected shot issue. Denilson will never get any break unless he could pull a 15 goal and 10 assists season because people’s minds are already made up about him being worse than Lucas.

Good points regarding the City tie and Eastmond’s performance. Also thought that Coquelin was as good as one could expect for his debut.

As for Theo, well I know of no other young man who been given so many opportunities with yet so much to prove. I do hope he comes good from here on in – but if Im honest – I just dont think the lad has the necessary natural football instincts to make it even when he is fit. For his own sake I hope he sorts himself out. Every year Wenger brings in new talent – and a time will come when if Theo doesn’t take his chance – someone else will..!!

Anyways – we

I don’t think Stoke are mediocre on their own patch, Joe. They have a decent record there & because of their physical strength this was always going to be a difficult tie for a young team augmented by only 2 regulars & back ups.

AW got the tactics right putting us in a position for 3 seniors, including Ramsey in that now, to go on for 20 minutes to win the game. Unfortunately it was Stoke who seized the initiative from there to deservedly win the game. No complaints, we needed the home draw for this type of match.

The decision to play this team will be proved right or wrong by our performance at Villa. In all honesty the disappointment from this loss (I am as bad as the next man in defeat) was diluted by the draw for the next round. Man City away would not have been a game for the kids just before Porto away.

Big plus the performance of young Craig Eastmond, who clearly is a good reader of the game & is fast becoming a good solid member of the squad capable of filling several duties. We need his type as well as the more extravagant creators.

Also Sol & Sylvestre did well. Coquelin grew into the game but looks way short at the moment, whilst JET did enough to show he can be put in for the right occasion.

Difficult game for Theo & Vela but you would have hoped for more from them. Theo simply did not contribute but to be fair needs the games for fitness & confidence.

3rd time lucky for Stoke you know. We kicked them out of 2 FA cup semi-finals in the early 70s, and maybe their time had come.

I must say though, the Stoke crowd really know how to give the game an atmosphere. Arsenal could learn from it.

As for the mass hysteria, it’ll be either forgotten or amplified on Wednesday night. I tend not to worry too much on the basis that news columns need to be filled and a 24 hour news cycle needs something.