For years, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur fans were debating over Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon.The similarities between the two meant the debate remained a close call for a long time. Both players had shown they could tear left-backs apart with their pace from time to time but had the common weakness of failing to deliver a quality final ball.
In the last year, the debate has been hushed. Walcott’s 2012/13 season was his most successful and secured his place as England’s first choice right-winger while Lennon was fairly average.
However, Walcott’s abdominal injury that ruled him out of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland could come back to haunt his international career.
Roy Hodgson decided to replace the former Southampton star with Tottenham’s Andros Townsend. The 22-year-old is finally beginning to establish himself at White Hart Lane following nine loan spells away from the club.
Despite Townsend’s impressive start to the season, it was still a gamble for Hodgson to throw him in the deep end in a set of fixtures that carried the nation’s destiny. The England manager could have opted for James Milner, who although isn’t everybody’s favourite choice, always plays with unquestionable commitment.
But credit to Hodgson for going with his instincts and choosing the more attacking option in Townsend. The rest of the story writes itself.
In the two qualifiers, Townsend stood out above everybody else, including Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney. He also capped his debut against Montenegro with a stunning strike from 25 yards out.
With Tottenham’s latest star replacing Walcott and bursting on the international stage, a new debate has began between both sets of supporters in North London. Should Townsend keep his place even when Walcott is fit again?
Well, Tottenham fans definitely believe so. Many Gunners may argue that their opinion is bias but deep down even they have to accept it is their rival player who offers the national team a whole lot more.
In Townsend’s first two caps, he carried England forward with his continuous and direct dribbling. Montenegro and Poland defenders were unsure whether the East Londoner, born in the same hospital as David Beckham, was going to run on the outside or inside. He also proved a hit at Wembley with his ability to shoot and cross with both feet.
On the other hand, Walcott’s dribbling is very average. There is nobody quicker than him in the England squad but his lack of control on the ball often lets him down when trying to beat defenders. Although his crossing has improved, Walcott doesn’t possess Townsend’s ability of using both feet. It’s also hard to imagine him scoring from 25 yards out or even testing the goalkeeper from that distance due to his below par technical ability.
Statistically, it’s actually the Arsenal player who looks more effective at club level. Last season, Walcott scored 21 goals and assisted a further 14 while Townsend suffered relegation on loan at Queens Park Rangers.
Part of Walcott’s game has now become to make runs off the last defender to get in one-on-one goalscoring situations. It’s proven a great asset to Arsenal but unfortunately he has been unable to bring that to the national side. In his 36 caps for England, there is little to remember other than his hat-trick in Croatia back in September 2008.
Unlike Walcott, Townsend has enough qualities which make him a constant headache for defenders. It would be premature of Tottenham fans to call him the new Lionel Messi but they can definitely be forgiven for claiming he should be picked ahead of Walcott for England’s right-wing position.