There seems to me to be a marked difference in the level of these two players footballing development, even with Theo's 3 year age advantage and his obviously superior god given talents, Jack appears to be advanced in the two most important aspects of the game for a young kid, technique and football intelligence. In Australia, at the moment, there has been a debate raging about how to best educate our youth players, not from the age of 13-19, but from 6 or 7 to 13. The general focus of training youth players in Australia for the last 2 decades has been not dissimilar to the approach in England, whereby physical attributes like strength and pace often overshadow skills and rather than encourage technique we emphasise brute force, stamina and 'clever' rule bending. This has seen for Australia and for England a drought in creatively and technically talented footballers like Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Paul Gascoigne and Glenn Hoddle for their respective nations.

In the past 2 years though, attitudes toward youth training have been changing here in Oz, and emphasis is moving from 11 a side, full field games to the 5 a side futsal style games used in countries renowned for their technical abilities like Brazil and Holland, for all juniors under the age of 11. The theory behind this move is that the foundation of a players technical ability is inherently laid at a young age and that any ground lost in technique as a junior can be near impossible to make up as a teenager, whereas on the other hand physical and mental attributes like fitness, strength and tactical awareness can all be learnt at a later date. It is at this point where we begin to see the difference in stages of Theo and Jack's respective development.

Walcott, a graduate of Southhampton's academy was blessed with brilliant natural ability in his speed and low centre of gravity, but raised in the English style of football, with it's physically based emphasis his already obvious skills were pandered to and further worked on while his technique (eg; first touch and short passing) was ignored and suffered. Wilshere seems at a glance to be a different proposition to Theo, and although equally slight in stature, he lacks the obvious physical gifts of Theo's pace, even if he does have a deceptive balance and strength for his age and size (not altogether different from our Russian superstar Arshavin). What Jack does have that Theo doesn't though, is a truly continental academy education, where he has been raised to believe that technical ability and football intelligence are the be all and end all of a young players game, and the benefit this has given him is plain to see. Jack is superior to Theo in touch, vision, passing, positioning and has multiple dimension's to his game, whereas Theo only obviously exceeds Wilshere in the one area - pace. Whereas Theo's pace was coveted as his main attribute, Jack was given a fully rounded football education and his physical ability, like his now apparent strength, was worked on at a later date.

This is not in anyway intended to be an insult to Theo, but more a testament to the Arsenal academy, the continental style of youth development and what that can do for a truly gifted young footballer.

The Swiss Football Association have confirmed that Philippe Senderos will join Everton in the coming days.

Arsenal’s 24-year-old centre back was expected to fight for his place at the club following an injury-plagued loan spell at AC Milan last season.

With less than a year left on his contract, Senderos is now on the verge of completing a reported £7million move to David Moyes’ side, the Swiss FA admitting that the transfer details are undisclosed.

This may mean that Arsene Wenger is ready to dip into his wallet for a new centre half after Mikael Silvestre was linked with a move to Bordeaux as a makeweight in the deal for Marouane Chamakh.

If Senderos and Silvestre both depart, it leaves Arsenal with just 4 centre back’s; summer signing Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Johan Djourou and defender/midfielder Alex Song.

What do you think Wenger should do in the transfer market? Will Senderos’ departure effect the team in any way?

Leave your views in the comments section below.

John Brewin:

Premier League top four: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City
Premier League relegation: Portsmouth, Hull City, Birmingham City
FA Cup: Liverpool
Carling Cup: Manchester City
Europa League: Rubin Kazan
Champions League: Real Madrid
Player of the Year: Fernando Torres

Dale Johnson:

Premier League top four: Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City
Premier League relegation: Burnley, Portsmouth, Hull City
FA Cup: Everton
League Cup: Manchester United
Europa League: Werder Bremen
Champions League: Chelsea
Player of the Year: Wayne Rooney

Jon Carter

Premier League top four: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal
Premier League relegation: Burnley, Portsmouth, Wolves
FA Cup: Chelsea
League Cup: Manchester City
Europa League: Villarreal
Champions League: Real Madrid
Player of the Year: Fernando Torres

Dominic Raynor:

Premier League top four: Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal
Premier League relegation: Burnley, Hull City, Portsmouth
FA Cup: Manchester City
League Cup: Tottenham Hotspur
Europa League: Twente Enschede
Champions League: Chelsea
Player of the Year: Fernando Torres

Gunners facing strong challenge

By Dale Johnson
(Archive)

August 11, 2009

Arsenal spent much of the 2008-09 season with grave concerns over their Champions League future. Aston Villa's demise after Christmas may have led to an nine-point cushion for the Gunners in fourth place but that did little to hide the cracks in Arsene Wenger's squad. And this summer there have been plenty of cursory glances over shoulders.

Long since genuine title contenders - they have not finished in the top two since 2005, nor won the league since their Invincibles season of 2003-04 and have now gone four years without a trophy - some have even questioned Wenger, the manager who will clock up 13 years in charge next month.

Arsenal's season was rescued by the last minute signing of Andrei Arshavin after snow storms forced the extension of the mid-season transfer window. The Russian international scored six goals in 12 starts, plus five assists, which included a four-goal haul against Liverpool at Anfield. Without his inspirational performances it is possible that Everton or Aston Villa could still have taken fourth place.

Even though Arshavin has only been at the Emirates for a matter of months it seems his future has already been called into doubt with rumours of interest from Barcelona and that the player is unhappy with the level of tax he pays on his wages in the United Kingdom. For now there is certainly no chance that Wenger would entertain the possibility of a sale.

Arsenal may have made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League last term, but they were truly out-fought and out-thought in the last four by Manchester United. It served to underline the gulf which has opened up between the two sides.

Their FA Cup adventure was also halted at the semi-final stage by another of their old title foes, Chelsea, while the young Guns of the Carling Cup succumbed to Burnley at Turf Moor.

Wenger has already suffered a summer where he has seen players sold for large sums of money, and has seen little in the way of movement the other way.

The sale of Emmanuel Adebayor was very much expected and a £25m fee for a striker who was hardly a crowd favourite, had questionable commitment to the club and a poor campaign last season was good business. But selling him to Manchester City, a club expecting to challenge the Champions League status quo, is dangerous. The Togo international scored 24 Premier League goals in 2007-08 and a repeat of that would pose a threat to his former club.

Wenger was quick to highlight the club's defensive deficiencies last season. The Gunners were well behind the top three in terms of fewest goals conceded, and the signing of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax for a reported fee of £9m goes some way to addressing that. The view in Holland is that Ajax got every penny the player was worth, and as such there's no guarantee he will immediately fit into Premier League football.

With Kolo Toure following Adebayor to the City of Manchester Stadium you have to wonder if Wenger has strengthened at the back at all. Granted, Toure did not have the best of seasons and at £16m it represents great business. But if that money is not reinvested in the squad then there's every chance the same problems may exist, especially as the Gunners' form improved when Toure was playing regularly.

It has to be a worry that Wenger is not openly looking for further defensive signings and has claimed he will only move into the market should Philippe Senderos complete a switch to Everton. It hardly solves their past problems. Brede Hangeland of Fulham seems the most likely option, if Arsenal decide they can spare the cash.

The likes of Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Eduardo and Carlos Vela do not have the power, presence or fitness record to be relied upon to play a similar role to that of Adebayor. And that means while the Gunners' boss may feel he can get away without signing a new defender he must replace the striker.

Marouane Chamakh of Bordeaux has been linked all summer and while Wenger may have baulked at a £15m asking price, the smart money is on a deal being done by the time the transfer window closes.

One bright spot will surely be the emergence of Jack Wilshire, who was superb during the pre-season Emirates Cup and has been lauded by England coach Fabio Capello.

The 17-year-old midfielder, who made one Premier League appearance from the bench, has already shown his talents in the Carling Cup. And with Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky to miss the start of the season he may be thrown in early.

Capello is already considering him for a place in the World Cup squad, despite the fact he has not broken into the first team properly as yet.

Now that there is a growing band of challengers ready to knock Arsenal off their perch, there will be even less room for error at the Emirates. Tottenham, Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester City all harbour hopes of playing among Europe's elite and while all four clubs have improved they will still need Arsenal to falter.

It certainly cannot be said that Arsenal have improved themselves. The defence is hardly stronger and they no longer have a striker capable of leading the line.

After recouping over £40m in recent weeks, Wenger simply has to make further signings before the transfer window closes. He may feel that having a fit Francesc Fabregas for the whole campaign is like a new player, but in truth that papers over the cracks that Arsenal are now a club which has been in decline for several seasons and is in danger of being overtaken by a new hungry breed of Premier League clubs.

ESPN's first Premier League offering pits fourth against fifth from last term but both sides will do well to conjure a repeat performance in 2009/10.

David Moyes v Arsene Wenger

Ask Moyes or Wenger if they summered well and the odds on receiving a frosty glare in return are high. Certainly, neither manager would have elected to play each other this early given the choice. Everton fear Arsenal's slick interplay and ability to carve teams open, Wenger is wary that the Toffees' tireless work ethic can wear down his young charges. Both managers have lost players and crave new faces. Arrivals between now and the end of the transfer window are essential.

David Moyes goes into the game with the stench of Manchester City's new-found wealth permeating the club. Joleon Lescott wants to move, and given the excellent Phil Jagielka is likely to be out until Christmas, the defensive solidity that went a long way to ensuring a fifth place finish last season is already under threat. Shorn of Yakubu and Mikel Arteta for most of last season the forays of Tim Cahill, Marouane Fellaini and the astute loan recruitment of Jo, also saw the Toffees make the FA Cup final. A repeat performance in league and cup this year is a very big ask.

Moyes will be hoping the aerial threat of that three-pronged attack will test Arsenal's unreliable back line while the probing forward runs of Steven Pienaar will also be crucial if the absence of Arteta is to be underwritten. A large dose of Everton's battling spirit will be needed for an opening day win.

Arsene Wenger knows all about Everton's grit and determination, having succumbed to it in previous seasons. As ever, enormous faith is placed in his young stock, especially after seasoned Premier League campaigners Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure left for Manchester City, the side many believe is most likely to annex Arsenal from the top four.

Cesc Fabregas will again be the fulcrum of everything Arsenal do. They will always create going forward with the likes of Arshavin, Eduardo, Van Persie and Walcott to call on, but defence is still seen as a weakness. Wenger's faith is planted in the untested Thomas Vermaelen, recruited from Ajax, and the unreliable William Gallas. Wenger must pray the Gunners hit their straps early, put Everton under pressure and match their spirit to the last. A win at Goodison will do much to inspire confidence for the campaign ahead.

Tim Cahill v Cesc Fabregas

The skipper's importance to Arsenal belies his 22 years. More of a focal point than ever after Toure and Adebayor departed he must stay fit and firing if Arsenal are to claim another top four finish. At Goodison Park most moves the Gunners make will come through him. Allowed license to roam forward Fabregas will again look to link up with Arshavin and Walcott down the flanks. As much as Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill like to maraud forward themselves, an eye must be kept on their opposite number and his tendency to drift into dangerous positions.

Cahill's influence on Everton cannot be underestimated, in fact, the only problem the Aussie midfielder gives Moyes is how to utilise him effectively in the same side as Fellaini, given their similarities. Even their Premier League record was identical last season  eight goals in 28 games. Neither gives an inch on the field and discipline can be a problem; Fellaini was booked on average once every three games last year, while Cahill received three bookings and one red card.

Tough tackling will be required to put the Gunners off their stride but losing a man makes their passing all the more potent. Cahill will also be a threat in the air from crosses and set pieces and he comes into the game in goalscoring mood having notched two for Australia against Ireland on Wednesday night. Arsenal will be well aware that a quiet Cahill usually means a quiet Everton.

Joleon Lescott v Robin van Persie

How will the Goodison Park faithful react to their wantaway star? The timing of Lescott's transfer request left a bitter taste in the mouth and while Toffees' fans know he is crucial to repelling a fluent Gunners side, it will prove hard not to question if his mind is fully focused on the job in hand. Lescott's aerial prowess is well documented but only during set pieces at both ends of the pitch will it be required. Arsenal's penchant for carpet football means positional sense, dealing with runners from deep and an ability to sniff out danger are much more meaningful attributes. One thing is for sure, should it prove to be his final game in a blue shirt he will want to leave on a positive note.

Lescott's immediate priority will be to shackle Van Persie. As the spearhead of Arsenal's attack his hold and link up play will determine their attacking threat. Lescott will be less concerned about his height and more about closing him down anywhere within range, given his wand of a left foot. He must do it fairly too, as Arsenal have a wealth of free-kick specialists who can hit the target from anything up to 35 yards out. Van Persie averages more than a goal every other game in the last three Premier League seasons, but in that time he has only started 54. How Wenger could do with the 26-year-old staying fit for a whole campaign.

Louis Saha v William Gallas

Wenger's pursuit of Fulham's Brede Hangeland underlines a desire to bolster his defence, and his concern that the questionable temperament of William Gallas remains the focal point of their back line. How his partnership with Thomas Vermaelen begins should have a large bearing on their season. The aerial prowess of Fellaini, Cahill, Lescott and Saha will provide the Dutch defender with a stiff test of his Premier League credentials. Everton will look to pepper the penalty area with crosses and high balls to test Vermaelen's mettle and Gallas will have to take the lead as organiser-in-chief. Assured full-backs Gael Clichy and Sagna will assist but direction has to come from the middle. A clean sheet will be a considerable achievement, and an unlikely one.

Though Jo possesses greater height, Louis Saha is no mug in the air either, and he should get plenty of opportunity to prove the fact with balls flying into the box. Unusually for the injury-prone Saha he has featured in all Everton's pre-season outings, and is finding the net regularly. As any Manchester United fan will testify Saha remains as good as anyone in the Premier League on his day, his goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final an indication that his instincts remain intact. Just as Van Persie provides the link for the Gunners, Saha will be expected to retain possession long enough to bring Everton's midfield into play in the final third. If he is regularly afforded a sight of goal Arsenal will suffer.

STATZONE:

• These two have twice met on the opening day of the Premier League season, first in 2003/4 when Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 at Highbury, and again the following season when Arsenal ran out 4-1 winners at Goodison Park.
• Lescott in the Premier League 08/09: Played: 36, Won: 16, Clean Sheets: 16, Goals: 4.
• Arsenal at Goodison Park in the Premier League: Won: 7, Drawn: 6, Lost 4.
• Biggest wins at Goodison Park: 1958/59: Everton 1-6 Arsenal. 1985/86: Everton 6-1 Arsenal.
• Top scorers in 08/09: Everton: Fellaini and Cahill, 8. Arsenal: Van Persie, 11.
• Arsenal have only played away from home four times on the opening day in 17 Premier League seasons, winning two, losing one and drawing one.