"Arteta locked us in the dressing room, it was like he was the manager” ⚽ Theo Walcott | Up Front

[@jsim5475]

The fact he grew taller and changed his name to Dominic Calvertlewin to keep playing is a testament to his dedication to the sport

[@remy7663]

🤣🤣🤣

[@henri6496]

Some people says that Hamilton retired after the 2021 debacle ending the F1 season, and Mercedes let Walcott change name and drive the car.

[@caroleshelemay7833]

😂😂

[@Nathan-zd8ew]

Yeah except Calvert Lewin wasn't the most overrated englush player like Walcott was.

[@abz2088]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Esq.bright]

Wow, this is fantastic to see. Theo is someone I really looked up to! Met him once, (2008) and he was so down to earth and polite - even signed my Arsenal shirt. I had finance issues at the time and was offered £350 cash for it, but I kept my pride and refused to sell. I am very comfortable now and still have the shirt, so it was a win-win!🎉 This is a great interview (one of my favourites, alongside Chris Eubank Senior). Keep up the fine work, sir. ✨️👌

[@brettriverboat9920]

To think he started at 10 and 7 years later he went to the World Cup, that is mental

[@sanjeevansubra7078]

The expectations this guy had on his shoulders was insane at the time, the fact he started playing football at 10 is just even more insane.

[@cjewe1z]

He couldn't handle it.

[@schubertcardozo]

@@cjewe1z He shouldv'e done what Odegaard did at Real Madrid (leave), but he stayed

[@itsonlyyoutube-d5m]

​@@cjewe1z he scored 108 goals for arsenal

[@VillaBoys123]

@@cjewe1z Played at the top level for about 15 years, retired with a few trophies and on his terms happy and satisfied. Aye, you're talking shit.

[@cjewe1z]

@@itsonlyyoutube-d5m In how many games? 🤣🤣🤣

[@stevesharpin9724]

Really enjoyed this ,nice to see a grown up conversation,Theo’s always come across as very honest . Like listening to Simon always let other person speak without interrupting .great podcast ,il listen to more now .

[@mrperry2986]

Very calm and composed guy, nice interview

[@mutts.nutts1]

One of my favourite episodes yet, Theo comes across as such a humble and grateful guy for everything he has achieved in his life

[@AB-ck1ey]

Disappointing that Theo didn’t mention that Arsenal challenged several times in the league from 2007-2014. The team was few points away from winning the title!!

[@Dercudez]

They challenged but ended up slipping every single time. That’s nothing to brag about.

[@FFTsteel]

Didn't win, so it doesn't matter. This is coming from an Arsenal fan.

[@robinndjavera5625]

It does matter to debunk the fact that Arsenal wernt ambitious, they were but fell short. There can only be 1 winner​@@FFTsteel

[@FFTsteel]

@@robinndjavera5625 It does not because Walcott already stated that the aim was top four. It was very clear we were unambitious post Highbury era.

[@LyndonDykes64]

@@Dercudezspoken like a man who doesn’t support a team. The fans at the ground every week would have talked about it every week and will still remember the feeling of hope. Bet you watch games on the telly.

[@davidryan9440]

Really enjoyed this podcast with Theo!! Great insight on his up bringing and his time at Arsenal. Looking forward to seeing more former Arsenal players on this podcast in the future 🔴⚪🔴⚪

[@reecejones3187]

Theo absolutely bang on regarding youth development. Players now days are just tactical robots with no expression allowed so that they fit under any manager

[@noomadNick]

Great interview. Theo spoke so well, great insight into his career

[@BlueLionXYZ]

Simon's the best. Really looking for honesty. Great interview from a fantastic interviewer.

[@jamiebaker8017]

My favourite theo memory is him celebrating 5-2 against spurs on the stretcher… even injured he was “fuck these guys I just scored” 🤣

[@ninghir]

Memory? It was 2-1.

[@donaldwalker4450]

😂yes it was.. fa cup​@@ninghir

[@onepunch2j308]

@@donaldwalker4450it was 2-0 get your facts right

[@rayanderson1941]

​@@onepunch2j308 That is what I remembered. He sat up on the stretcher, while he was being carried off, and made a 2 - 0 signal with his hands. That is what I remembered

[@billybattsshinebox8559]

Will always be a arsenal legend

[@marknewton7212]

Well done Theo. Great listen

[@martinharvey2390]

Ive watched a lot of these podcasts and this is definitely one of the best.

[@AB-ck1ey]

Wrong info by Simon. Ozil signed in 2013 before Arsenal winning the 2014 FA cup 🏆 . He was part of the team.

[@mileymarielow3850]

"cut thru the nonthenth" that's funnier every time I hear it

[@Kishishev1903]

Did you learn something along the way?

[@mileymarielow3850]

@@Kishishev1903 Simon always makes sensth

[@IgweVII]

As much as i loved Wenger Theo really shows why we didn't win the league during his time - we didn't have the mentality and that was facilitated by Wenger.

[@wasiuolowolekomoh1244]

Love theo man ❤

[@mtns7036]

From serenity and calmness comes a cocentrated mind

[@mikeymike2195]

It’s amazing how a team like Arsenal can stay within the rules of the game and spend less than what they bring in. Build a new stadium while staying within the financial guidelines and get all criticism for not winning loads trophies. Yet you have Manchester city who go out there and have 115 charges against them for financial doping and basically breaking all the rules and everything gets shoved under the carpet

[@aaronfyfield3680]

The streets will never forget bolasie. Legend

[@MAVxInfinite]

Great and insightful interview from my club legend #COYG

[@RobbieLee90]

Theo is so articulate

[@apollian]

Legend

[@musamupfekeri]

Arsene Wenger never got the best of him…at Southampton he was rising but at Arsenal he levelled

[@everlasting1971]

Theo is a great lad & decent player. He never really developed much after he arrived at Arsenal. Arsene was too patient with him and others that stagnated - ending up costing Arsene his job.

[@exitthelemming145]

Speaking as an Arsenal fan, Theo seldom convinced he was ever a nailed on starter during his time at the club. Yes, he had a decent career with perfectly respectable figures for goals scored and assists for a wide attacking player but he begged Arsene Wenger to play him through the middle and the results were so underwhelming this was abandoned very quickly. He also flattered to deceive in an England shirt and no-one can really argue he merited all 47 of his caps. I think Paul Merson hit the nail on the head when he agreed that Walcott was talented but 'just didn't have a football brain' i.e. his decision making in the final 3rd was no better at 15 than it was at 34. That said, being an unused member of England's 2006 WC squad at just 17, before he had even played for Arsenal probably did his credibility in the eyes of others more harm than good. Simon Jordan asks Theo the most pressing question in as polite and gracious manner as I can paraphrase for him here: Why were you satisfied with a mediocre Arsenal when you could have gone elsewhere and won silverware? Theo's response that he 'just loved playing football' seems evasively non committal and symptomatic of Arsenal gradual descent into the top 4 = success mindset.

[@michealdexter1188]

I wonder how much further he would have gone if Wenger moulded him into a striker from the very beginning

[@Itsmetheworldsgreatest]

locked you all in the dressing room and said whos up first ?

[@Slice998]

A mixed bag of a player but a hard working and decent guy. Shame for him that his best years were at a time the Arsenal team was very uncompetitive and needed investment.

[@KarltonFranz]

He's one of the most talented players the country has ever seen. Imagine if he had always played the game

[@G-Man78]

Talented at running fast. That's it

[@KarltonFranz]

@@G-Man78 yer da

[@jamesgilheany9624]

Theo perfectly illustrating the mediocre malaise that engulfed Arsenal for a decade. “I was just happy to play”

[@Dontbeafoool]

This showed us A LOT of Theo’s character… someone who would shy away from responsibility & lacking conviction but in his head, he’s ALWAYS doing the right thing and nothing is his fault…

[@tommytornado501]

I did not get the impression Simon Jordan respects Theo

[@Ufc12-f6y]

Mesut ozil he's fire play👌

[@gerrardhession2272]

S - Cesc Fabregas says the same about academy players as Theo . Hession

[@klinx888]

Theo comes across as a real nice guy. But he doesn’t come across as a winner. This pretty much sums up Arsenal from that period

[@paulrobinson478]

Wasn't he always injured and sometimes playing with a knock? Never quite fully fit.

[@JamesLimb]

I can't wait for Simon to get to the bottom line and cut through the NONENETH

[@alanoconnor7967]

After this interview. I think we all know why he wasn't a top player. He can't give a straight answer

[@ESQAZIZ]

There is an element of naivety and lack of accountability that he shows because things (limelight) happened so quickly for him. He was so shielded from reality and it shows. With the opportunities that he had, he can only look at himself. He says he loves football so much but only relied on his pace and didn’t work on his football. He doesn’t have the winning mentality because he never suffered for it before he got it. He signed for a manager whose character flaw was too nice and he was never put in a position to be challenged. Theo is an actually a striker but should have worked on he’s craft and gone to a smaller club or league to gain momentum before playing for Arsenal.

[@pablobreezy1451]

Simon Jordan puts his questions across in a very toxic/unpleasant way without consideration to the feeling of the guest.

[@thekznetwork]

Simon Jordan tone and responses sounded like he was interrogating him for existing. Sounded so condescending and disinterested. Walcotts career should be something to praise, interviews like this make it feel like the football journey is a hated one. I love walcott and growing up I looked up to him as a " look how young he is, I can make it"

[@ZolaMagic25]

He's clearly reading a thesaurus throughout

[@rjworldsportsnews]

Excited for this one

[@prash_t]

I remember one year soon after the financial crisis when he re-negotiated his salary and his pay rise was equivalent of the increase in season ticket costs for the following year. I can’t be certain but I remember the season tickets price raised an additional 6m in and his pay rise was an addition 100k+ pw. It was hard for me to pay for mine and my son’s tickets but at least Theo was happy.

[@TheMku147]

Great countries groom winners and take talented kids to world cups to give them a feel of the environment but the English dont see this hence they criticised Sven for picking Theo in 2006. I remember a teenager called Ronaldo in world cup 94 who was in the squad and never played but won it in 2002 when another kid Kaka was in the squad. Open your eyes....

[@xNSHD]

behave walcott, arsene would not have been "afraid" of arteta.

[@benjamindadzie9657]

Imagine arguing with someone who has shared a room with someone you have never met 😂😂😂

[@cenky3]

Theo Theo Theo Theo , your short fall was not your skill set but your physicality.

[@14_Phoenix]

Did brudda forget how many chances he wasted when he played alongside ozil ?

[@koutanot]

Compare this to the Pepe interview...

[@AB-ck1ey]

2007-2008, 2010-2011, and 2013-2014.

[@danieltyrrell8369]

Ozil was a genius, him and Sanchez were amazing for a few years, Walcott was bang average

[@IgweVII]

Way more than 8 players scored over than 100 goals for Arsenal, don't go on Transfermrkt and be like "yup that's my research done"

[@BDOOM57]

Simon can see straight through Theo’s bullshit. Theo has such a convincing tone to his bullshit. He’s NOT an Arsenal legend. He was an athlete at best. Number 14 and couldn’t even score 100 PL goals. Overrated. 108 goals in 12 seasons. Stop calling him an Arsenal legend when the best thing he did was the 2-0 gesture.

[@skyshooter4009]

Arsenal was a wrong move for him.

[@MW92.]

Simon = top LAD proper clobber 💯

[@yatman6305]

His mentality is an embarrassment. If you are 100% convinced no success will come your way because of an outer force, with nothing done of your own will make the difference, just don't turn up & give up - it's just shying away!

[@TVsez]

Went to work, earned lots of coin, retired early... Sounds OK to me

[@watsoncrick3210]

Arteta > Pep

[@abhijeetchandra4657]

😂😂😂

[@flyoverfredusa]

talking about players ignoring young kids - that's what sets Jack Grealish apart, always seems to give them time

[@hrs1414]

He was unfairly treated by arsenal fans imo

[@BigDome1]

He was approaching a really high level before he tore his ACL.

[@alexolley4142]

Theo ‘Karen’ Walcott

[@paulstocker4527]

I think he just wanted to play football

[@Footballer85749]

Cleaning boots & cleaning the gym is some slave shit which is no surprise because Simon comes across as a slave driver. You want to teach academy players work ethic? give them real jobs. They are already training 24/7

[@toheebodumesi2067]

Using Mikel Arteta to draw traffic for a podcast when he was barely talked about 🤡

[@Leewoods123]

Theo is such a middle class melt 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@Fortunaatp]

John talks way too much, we don't care about him we want to hear the guests. Unlistenable.

[@gordazila]

35 and already retired typical English player, meanwhile CR7 banging 50 goals per year at 39

[@VillaBoys123]

Are you alright?

[@gordazila]

@@VillaBoys123 ???

[@GargantuanD]

Not more Arteta PR.... Make it stop 😵‍💫

[@Leewoods123]

“Creating that safe environment, that safe place” What a load of utter tripe🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️you’re in the most privileged jobs in one of the safest and most wealthy countries in the world - how much safer can it get you melt?!

[@adeshas83]

Is Simon Jordan the new king of interviews??

[@User_40437]

Boring 😴

[@liamanderson6191]

Really don’t like Theo

[@Leewoods123]

What’s with all of Theo’s hand gestures?? Cringe

[@alexbelotti1603]

Simon Jordan having a normal chat for once in his life. Theo Walcott is a great guy who you can’t argue with or hate. Class

[@astro9219]

He won’t get anyone who wants to be interviewed if he is his usual obnoxious self.

[@vinnydurham8964]

Yet here you are watching

[@cjewe1z]

Walcott is so bland and vanilla on and off the field that he will never offend anyone even if he tried his hardest. 🤣🤣🤣

[@harrys1505]

@@cjewe1z Well said Sir.

[@MrKeefy1967]

@@cjewe1z He wound an entire Spurs crowd up once. Just by holding up a few fingers. Shows what you know.

[@NRVST123]

Credit to Simon, he “wants to get to the bottom line and cut through the NONTHENTH”

[@stevenstrutt2430]

😅😅 beat me to it

[@twoguysonedogpodcast]

Every video. Boring clown

[@lindamayambela4672]

😂

[@kernowchris]

bloody hell, that's so old and unoriginal. and pathetically juvenile.

[@District1DnB]

@@stevenstrutt2430same lol

[@macoooos9204]

I like the sound of this young footballer, he has so much potential.................

[@whodoyouratemore]

He's 36

[@Revelian1982]

​@@whodoyouratemorer/whoosh

[@trevorjoneill707]

he's bloody 35 he said it himself we're you not listening to it

[@cjewe1z]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheShaneosaurus]

Word of the day: Sarcasm

[@filmonberhane4255]

Theo Walcott was one of the players like RVP, Nasri and Fabregas the reason i became an Arsenal fan. I bought my first ever Arsenal kit 10 years ago with Theo's name on it.

[@lukingforabettername]

Remember sign da ting

[@cjewe1z]

You must regret it. 🤣🤣🤣 I can relate, because I bought a Juventus shirt with Del Piero name on it. Years later, I wish I got Zidane or Davids instead. 😭😭😭

[@Dercudez]

@@lukingforabettername that was for Auba

[@tournaline3448]

How can you put Walcott on the same level as Van Persie, Cesc, or Nasri 😂😂😂

[@filmonberhane4255]

@@tournaline3448 I start supporting Arsenal at that era, can you blame me?

[@TheGreatDrummerLevi]

I respect how honest Theo is. If he was not ambitious or had the drive to win trophies while playing and only played for arsenal because he loved football and the club then fair play to him. I personally dont consider this "loser" mentality. He loved the game and the club and this was more important than ruining his relationship with his peers and club potentially speaking against the club, or fighting to leave. I respect that, he was a good servant and watching him growing up, I would never question his desire to fight for the badge.

[@flyoverfredusa]

Nice bloke, very refreshing

[@surreal_traveller]

Simon drilling him about his lack of success. Bro, there is no divine right to win trophies. Three cups, he scored in a final, scored more than 100 goals for Arsenal, set financially forever. Decent bloke, family man. haah that is some success if you ask me!

[@Bobby_sprinkles]

I mean, ultimately you could do the same with Ronaldo couldn't you. Oh you've been successful but never won a certain cup with Portugal. There will always be something but at the end of the day, it's a team sport and very few win everything

[@TORRES999ify]

He's a credit to his profession. Never his fault that he was called up for the world cup at 17. Had had a very good career, a relatable guy though, sems grounded. Nice lad

[@cjewe1z]

And won nothing of note.

[@itsonlyyoutube-d5m]

​@@cjewe1z and is a millionaire..jealous ?

[@cjewe1z]

@@itsonlyyoutube-d5m Jealous of what? Are you a groupie? 🤣

[@georgecase5908]

@@cjewe1z most footballers win nothing of note. Also, it's ludicrous to suggest that winning an FA Cup is not noteworthy.

[@garycorcoran6422]

Have to get sir Alex or Roy keane on here . Would be great to see Simon chat with one if not both

[@footballtalk5798]

Kp as well

[@dwn2634]

Tea making ability aside, Walcott is arguably one of those rare players that combine natural next level talent with intelligence.

[@tournaline3448]

Being a posh softie isn’t a mark of intelligence. If anything, he lacks intelligence marked by how he hardly ever made the right pass or consistently missed sitters.

[@softrun1000]

Fair play. He’s cut straight through the vacuous, uninformed nonsense and got to the how, when and why

[@barcelonahq4632]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@raykwon7]

Wow, still cleaning Kenwyn Jones’s boots… what a great example to young footballers today.👏🏽👏🏽

[@declanshanahan3888]

This is a premier league thing. My lad is at a League 1 club Under 18s and they all do the old jobs apprentices used to do. Boots, clean changing rooms, pump the balls up for the first team before training and so on.

[@azeetaag]

This was insightful! Theo’s mentality was a reflection of a top 4 is a trophy is the reason why the team failed to beat the top teams.

[@samafc1]

Thank you Theo, your contribution to arsenal will forever go unnoticed you're part of a selfless squad of unsung heros that allowed Arsenal to stabilise and set the foundation for where we are now some us won't forget the sacrifices you made for this club. I'm glad you enjoyed your time in doing so and look back so positively about your time in the trench for us 🙌

[@Vss86]

Not fully appreciated Was such a good footballer and scored over 100 goals for us

[@Dontbeafoool]

In 400 games… for a forward that came for big money at the time. Really not that impressive when u break it down…

[@itsonlyyoutube-d5m]

​@@Dontbeafoool a winger you mean

[@Dontbeafoool]

@@itsonlyyoutube-d5m he was often on the right of a 4-3-3. So “forward” still stands.

[@BDOOM57]

He was a substandard footballer. Totally overrated. He averaged 9 goals a season.

[@itsonlyyoutube-d5m]

​@@BDOOM57 108 goals more than you

[@nohmanahmed4463]

Allways liked Theo good footballer❤

[@filmonberhane4255]

Theo is such a humble and respectful man. Arsenal Legend!!

[@cjewe1z]

What is he an Arse'nal legend for?

[@iannamboga7995]

Not with that mentality

[@itsonlyyoutube-d5m]

​@@cjewe1z 108 goals for arsenal

[@cjewe1z]

@@itsonlyyoutube-d5m 108 goals... in 397 games. 🤣🤣🤣

[@itsonlyyoutube-d5m]

@@cjewe1z 108 more than you 🤣

[@BigDome1]

Theo was about to take things to the next level before he tore his ACL. Very unfortunate timing.

[@thewengerinn5555]

As a lifelong Gooner- I love Theo- lovely chap and was a good servant to Arsenal FC in the end! However , (i don't want to be a hater btw!!) hes a player i watched extensively and he just didnt seem to develop during his career....he had some obvious flaws in his game and he didnt appear to be able to improve on them. Makes sense that he started late- it looks to me that he was like ' this is me, these are my attributes...and thats it'. Shame really cos he had the raw tools to be twice the player he was

[@jonathanbarron8311]

Ahhh this is my sort of channel! Love Simon Jordon, not everyone's cuppa obviously, but for me! I would happily have a chat with him! Yes he is direct, blunt and sometimes rude, but you will ALWAYS know where you stand with this man!

[@bfitz7038]

Putting tea bags in a kettle at 15 😂😂😂

[@cjewe1z]

He must have been better at that than playing football. 🤣🤣🤣

[@willtapping3097]

I did the same around that age by putting coffee in the kettle when my aunt visited once 😂😂😂😂

[@-Gooner76-]

Great interview, and Theo,such a gentleman 👏

[@AlphaMarketingSocialMedia]

Hard watch….. like a party political broadcast. Nice guy but it was like eating soup with a fork

[@Deano_Longley]

Brilliant simon absolutely fantastic things back to normal no souness or Deeney love it a grt watch

[@yussufhassan2820]

Tbeo ...I can remember vividly during his teen age when he sign for arsenal he was well managed by Wenger till he grows up to first squad at 16 he got his first call up into england squad