Latest news with #Walcott
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal icon worried about Mikel Arteta's decision after £30m transfer deal
Arsenal hero Theo Walcott has admitted to being "worried" by Chelsea's move to sign Ipswich striker Liam Delap, who he has also tipped to be England's next great No. 9 Arsenal hero Theo Walcott has shared his concerns about the Gunners missing out on the signing of new Chelsea hotshot Liam Delap. The forward made waves in the Premier League with Ipswich last season, netting 12 goals despite the team's relegation after their first spell in the top tier since 2001/02. Delap, 22, had a tempting £30million release clause which Chelsea pounced on to boost their front line for the upcoming Champions League campaign. Manchester United also showed interest, but Delap preferred the Stamford Bridge outfit. The striker sealed a long-term six-year agreement amid the club's battle for firepower up front among existing forwards Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu. Amid persistent rumours connecting Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko to a switch to the Emirates this summer, Walcott frankly admitted that Chelsea's deal for Delap puts him on edge. Walcott, who became an analyst on Match Of The Day last summer, articulated his fears during an interview with The Athletic: "When people speculate, clubs look for a No. 9 and the fans get upset or confused saying, 'Why can't we find a No 9?' It's really hard to find them because everyone wants to be that really predictable player... those who like to come inside. "Strikers are selfish, they just want to score goals. But now, all of a sudden, the wingers are starting to get more selfish because they want to cut in and do their thing. They're not connecting like they once did. That's why Delap going to Chelsea worries me as an Arsenal fan." Walcott went on to explain how traditionally, wearing the number nine for Chelsea has been a Herculean task with stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Fernando Torres shouldering the burden, yet he tips Delap to succeed and even take over Harry Kane as England's frontman star. "I know they have been going for that No 9, that Didier Drogba type, it's that curse of the No 9. Delap can break that curse because he's a really good striker. He's the next one after Harry Kane for England." Having shared the pitch with legendary goal-scorers at Arsenal, Walcott feels disappointed that Arsenal didn't make a move for someone like Delap, seeing potential and grit in the young striker. "(It) disappoints me as an Arsenal fan if you don't go after someone like that," he added. "You can see it in him as well, you can see his fight. He doesn't care who he plays against." Delap kicked off his career in blue on a high note, coming on as a substitute during their 2-0 triumph over LAFC in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup. Delap made an immediate impression, providing the cross that Enzo Fernandez converted to double Chelsea's advantage in the second half. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#FASHION: Kenya's plus-size fashion show says 'big is beautiful'
IN African wax print dresses and tight-fitting evening wear, the "plus-size" models strutted up the runway in Kisumu, western Kenya, in a special event designed to celebrate the beauty of larger women. Started nine years ago, the East Africa Plus Size Fashion Affair is, according to founder Winnie Wenga Walcott, the only event of its kind in Kenya despite the fact the region "has mostly really plump women". "We have seen the media really trying to focus on a certain body type of women," she said. "And in doing so, this has really affected their self-esteem." In front of more than 300 screaming spectators, a dozen amateur models walked and danced their way along the catwalk. Unlike traditional haute couture shows, there was a lot of smiling. Among them was Oprah Odhiambo, a Kenyan entrepreneur, who wanted to show that "plus size can do what the petite can do, so I feel joyous". "There are those plus-size women who are in hiding because they are afraid that people will body shame them," she said, adding that she hopes the show will make them reassess their self-image. Singer and model Rosemary Odire, stage name Nyakusa Nyamama, spoke of the sneers she has faced when performing. "I have encountered so many problems... people are like 'Yo big mama, what are you going to do there, you cannot dance, get off the stage'," she said. "But I am here portraying... not just any beauty, not just plus-size beauty, but the African beauty in me," added Odire, who swayed her hips on the runway in a leopard-skin skirt. Coming from all walks of Kenyan society, the models did not have this level of confidence when they started training in March. "They were very timid about their body sizes," recalled Walcott, adding that there was now a "huge difference". The fashion show addresses health issues but also focuses on "accepting curvy women" and "celebrating their appearance by blending it with fashion due to the difficulty they face finding clothes", said Walcott. Walcott created the show to honour her own motherm, so she could "see herself as beautiful".
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Kenya's plus-size fashion show says 'big is beautiful'
In African wax print dresses and tight-fitting evening wear, the "plus-size" models strutted up the runway in Kisumu, western Kenya, in a special event designed to celebrate the beauty of larger women. Started nine years ago, the East Africa Plus Size Fashion Affair is, according to founder Winnie Wenga Walcott, the only event of its kind in Kenya despite the fact the region "has mostly really plump women". "We have seen the media really trying to focus on a certain body type of women," she told AFP. "And in so doing, this has really affected their self-esteem." In front of more than 300 screaming spectators, a dozen amateur models walked and danced their way along the catwalk this weekend. Unlike traditional haute couture shows, there was a lot of smiling. Among them was Oprah Odhiambo, a Kenyan entrepreneur, who wanted to show that "plus size can do what the petite can do, so I feel joyous." "There are those plus-size women who are in hiding because they are afraid that people will body shame them," she said, adding that she hopes the show will make them reassess their self-image. Singer and model Rosemary Odire, stage name Nyakusa Nyamama, spoke of the sneers she has faced when performing. "I have encountered so many problems... people are like 'Yo big mama, what are you going to do there, you cannot dance, get off the stage,'" she said. "But I am here portraying... not just any beauty, not just plus-size beauty, but the African beauty in me," added Odire, who swayed her hips on the runway in a leopard-skin skirt. Coming from all walks of Kenyan society, the models did not have this level of confidence when they started training in March. "They were very timid about their body sizes," recalled Walcott, adding that there was now a "huge difference". The fashion show addresses health issues but also focuses on "accepting curvy women" and "celebrating their appearance by blending it with fashion due to the difficulty they face finding clothes," said Walcott. Walcott created the show to honour her own mother -- so she could "see herself as beautiful." 'You see how big I am, I really hated my body, but she really encouraged me," said Walcott's mother, Seline Aoko, speaking at the fruit stall in Kisumu where she works. "Big is beautiful!"--AFP
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal sensation Ethan Nwaneri handed surprise warning by former Gunners star
Theo Walcott has high hopes for Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri but the former Gunners winger says he noticed impatience that was not channelled the right way late in breakthrough season Ethan Nwaneri's work ethic showed signs of slipping towards the end of his breakthrough campaign at Arsenal. That is according to former Gunners star Theo Walcott, who reckons the youngest member of England's U21 squad could do more to outwardly display his desire and commitment. Nwaneri, 18, came off the bench late in the Young Lions' 3-1 win over Czechia on Thursday night having quickly become a fan favourite at his club. But Walcott reckons there were signs of impatience from the teenager late in the season after he failed to displace Martin Odegaard when the captain was struggling for form. 'I got a sense he was frustrated towards the back end of the season from watching him, even in warm-ups,' Walcott said. 'I know I go on about habits but it's really important to do the right things when you're visible. 'You'll have people who say he should be playing and there was a part of the season where I felt he could or should have played a lot more, when Martin Odegaard had a dip in form. I felt that was an opportunity where he could have put a bit more pressure on (Odegaard). 'But I did sense the drop off in his work ethic. Even in scenarios where you do your running after a game. He might have only played five minutes but he hasn't done the run, and I really look out for those things. 'Yes, you might have training the next day but you need to be seen doing the right things. 'This will be an interesting dynamic of how he feels next season will go. He's going to want to play more football but he's going to be competing with (Bukayo) Saka and Odegaard.' Walcott, working for Channel 4 as a pundit through their coverage of the U21 Euros, has spent plenty of time around the Arsenal camp and noticed Nwaneri's admiration of Raheem Sterling - which will serve him well if he picked up some of the senior man's good habits. And Walcott believes Nwaneri can still be part of the England senior squad for next summer's World Cup, though the U21s campaign will have a big say on how next season goes. 'Raheem's so important for him,' Walcott added. 'I could tell he looked up to him because of everything Raheem's done in his career, I felt he was feeding off certain behaviours at times and Raheem was doing all the right things still. 'He just needs to remember to do the right things. It will be interesting come the World Cup. This tournament is really big for him because it shows where he's at for Arsenal. It can go either way, so he needs to pick the right way - and I'm sure he will.' Channel 4 are showing all of England's U21 Euros games, including Slovenia at 5pm tomorrow
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'Newcastle star reminds me of Gareth Bale - he'll be a future England captain'
Thomas Tuchel told Tino Livramento to use U21 Euros as a chance to work on his leadership as former team-mate Theo Walcott says he is convinced Newcastle full-back can reach very top Theo Walcott is tipping Tino Livramento to be future England captain. Newcastle full-back Livramento, 22, was told by Thomas Tuchel he should use the U21 Euros as an attempt to work on his leadership. And Walcott, who deliberately avoided Livramento in training when team-mates at Southampton, believes he has what it takes to lead the Three Lions once he comes out of his shell. Livramento had a starring role in the U21s' opening win over Czech Republic on Thursday night. And Walcott says: 'He's kind of a right-footed Gareth Bale in stature and the way he runs, and I feel like he's the perfect wing-back. 'At no point in training did I think about going up against him. There's just no point. I'm a bit older and he's physically stronger. I was quick still but I thought, 'Why am I going to test myself against someone who is physically in a better position than me?' 'I did the same with Kyle Walker when I was playing. I'd go and use my skills somewhere else and that's the stature and how highly I rate him in one-v-one situations. 'Then the Newcastle factor and working with Eddie Howe, English, that whole community of English guys around him, I think that's part of why Thomas Tuchel feels it's important for him to be at this tournament.' Eyebrows were raised when Tuchel did not select Livramento for the fixtures against Andorra and Senegal having handed him a first cap in March. But the manager has since cleared the omission up by saying an U21s swansong can teach Livramento how to shoulder additional responsibility. And from Walcott's experience at St Mary's he can work on becoming more vocal. 'He'd take on information and he's such a good listener,' he says. 'He's very quiet but he really listens well and I think it's hard to get that balance. He's a potential future captain because of his presence and how he is around the place. 'He's got the potential to be that leader and they just want more of that because they can see it in him, I could see it in him. But you need a little bit more out of him and this tournament can bring a side out of him that he's not used to.' Walcott, working as a Channel 4 pundit for the U21 Euros, thought 'Livramento was going to be a very good Premier League player' the moment he locked eyes on him. But it was the youngster's dedicated response to rupturing a cruciate ligament in April 2022 that left Walcott utterly convinced. 'I always feel injuries can make or break people, they really can,' he adds. 'His work ethic in that injury process was second to none, it was incredible. Someone could have sulked about things but he was the first one there and the last one to leave because he'd always want to put in more work. 'When you get an injury like that you can feel sorry for yourself but he actually thought, 'It's an opportunity to do other things and build on myself' and then he obviously got his move to Newcastle.' Channel 4 are showing all of England's U21 Euros games, including Slovenia at 5pm tomorrow Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
