Arsenal-Mania

Walcott handed number 14 jersey

By Jonathan Chong on Saturday, June 28, 2008

Teenage striker Theo Walcott has been handed the number 14 jersey, previously worn by former captain Thierry Henry.

Walcott has been wearing the number 32 since his arrival from Southampton.

It is no doubt a signal of intent of where manager Arsčne Wenger sees Walcott's primary role at the club to be.

Another change to the previous season's squad numbers is that new arrival Aaron Ramsey has been handed the number 16 previously worn by Mathieu Flamini.

The number 12 shirt, previously worn by Lauren, has also been handed to Mexican Carlos Vela.

User Comments

27

ahmed b

Posted on 1 Jul, 2008 at 11:05 PM - Reply

theres been so much hype about Adebayor leaving, wenger bringing a possible replacement,when arsenal has got the talent to live up. Giving theo the 14 shirt is a very decision the professor has made. 2008/9 is your season THEO. show us what you gat.

26

sanchez

Posted on 1 Jul, 2008 at 10:21 PM - Reply

i think this is great, it shows hes a major part of sir arsenes plans:) good times

25

Ahmed (Tanzania)

Posted on 1 Jul, 2008 at 05:34 PM - Reply

Question: Will he even feature in the starting line-up? Will Eboue start?...... Or No.14 will play the last 15 mins in every game............ Come on & make an impact..... & back to substitute bench the next match???

24

Yusuf

Posted on 1 Jul, 2008 at 11:23 AM - Reply

Wow. I dont know wether to be pleased, worried or disappointed by the news. One thing I do know is that I am excited.

But Walcott, please don't implode....it's about time people realise that with the expectations and hopes placed on these young shoulders (incidentally, his main weakness is his shoulders), he would probably die of a heart attack at age 35.

23

kakibola

Posted on 1 Jul, 2008 at 06:19 AM - Reply

Theo's skill n ability is what matter most....
Jersey number..??Nehh...what's there....!!
32,23,14...anything wildo....rite??!!

22

oswald

Posted on 1 Jul, 2008 at 01:30 AM - Reply

wo walcott 14,the new henry

21

Uzzy

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 10:44 PM - Reply

About time. Walcott has face enough burden of having to shine. this will not be new to him

20

lumu emmanuel sserunkuuma

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 09:29 PM - Reply

let the young star wear the shirt so that he can
fight tooth and nail to see that he implove in his way of playing and to see that he can feet to the level of mr THIERY HENRLY.MY GOD bless the boy emy.

19

Gooner 4 life

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 09:07 PM - Reply

Great news! having bought a shirti with the number 14 on the back to honour henry i am glad the number is now given to some-one else so i can honour them. but would have prefferd it to be given to v persie =]

18

Mulbah

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 08:05 PM - Reply

That is great...... Walcott prove it when he scored a Thierry style goal

17

taiye

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 06:46 PM - Reply

WENGER,
THIS IS GREAT,WALCOTT WILL PROVE HIS CRITICS WRONG NEXT SEASON.....WELL DONE WENGER.

16

nashrul

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 05:11 PM - Reply

hope he can be as good or maybe better than the previous no. 14

15

sachin

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 02:20 PM - Reply

NO :14 Should not be given to any player ;we should respect our LEGEND TH14 this way. y Wenger y...

14

Nikolas

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 12:11 PM - Reply

well well well...looks like we got some exciting things waiting for us next season, eh? i cant wait for it!!

13

azza

Posted on 30 Jun, 2008 at 10:35 AM - Reply

walcott will do it 1 day i think he needs some more time but the shirt will boost his confidence

12

Edu- kenya

Posted on 29 Jun, 2008 at 05:57 PM - Reply

The likes of Ramsey now won't regret the choice they made....
Long live Arsenal

11

Ashish KTM

Posted on 29 Jun, 2008 at 05:39 PM - Reply

That's Great! I am now eagerly waiting to see the No.12 and No.14 on the turf

10

Ubin

Posted on 29 Jun, 2008 at 05:14 PM - Reply

Wenger doesn't have a goalkeeper/defender to hand that number to, does he? It seems that whatever Wenger did, is a masterstroke to you guys!! Firstly Bergkamp's no.10 to gallas. People has been chirping of how great it is to not draw any comparison with a legend. And here we are talking of another Legend TH14...

9

Plaske

Posted on 29 Jun, 2008 at 02:30 PM - Reply

What number will wear Samir Nasri?

8

J Mehmett

Posted on 29 Jun, 2008 at 06:54 AM - Reply

Nice to see him in 14, 32 is crazy.
What about Flamini in Milan, may be he is wearing 66, who knows?

7

olamide45

Posted on 29 Jun, 2008 at 02:06 AM - Reply

not a bad idea. i think it will be a massive boast 4 walcott

6

Metalgunners

Posted on 29 Jun, 2008 at 12:30 AM - Reply

yes! told u guys that theo will get the no.14!! hehee

5

thebiggunn

Posted on 28 Jun, 2008 at 08:57 PM - Reply

This is a lie.

4

Zee

Posted on 28 Jun, 2008 at 06:12 PM - Reply

Looks like it'll be a really young and exciting first team next year. I can hardly wait :)

3

Tony

Posted on 28 Jun, 2008 at 02:27 PM - Reply

If there is any player on Arsenal that can live up to Henry it is Walcott. But I think it is too early for him to be handed such a prestigious number to wear, there will be a heavy burden upon Walcott now.

2

valsenal

Posted on 28 Jun, 2008 at 02:24 PM - Reply

Well done Mr. Wenger. Handing the jerseys of former Arsenal greats to our talented youngsters will boost their moral and also send a clear message that Arsenal is the right club to sign for when are young and talented.

I will also want to see credible replacements for Tony Adams and the one and only Martin Keown who we (here in Namibia, Africa) refer to as THE EAGLE.

Kolo is the only center back following in the footsteps of the (1-0) to Arsenal defenders but is yet to reach their level of consistency.