MX23RW : Tuesday, November 12 20:18:22| >> :60:1539:1539:

Alan Smith critical of Arsene Wenger approach to Theo Walcott

Smith critical of Wenger
© AP Photos
Alan Smith says that Arsene Wenger was wrong to say that Theo Walcott must give back to Arsenal.

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has said that Arsene Wenger was wrong to suggest that Theo Walcott should stay because he owes it to the club.

The 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and negotiations have reportedly stalled until January.

Wenger is keen not to lose the England international in a similar scenario to the one that preceded Robin van Persie's departure, and hinted that Walcott should give back to the club that paid £12m for him as a 16-year-old.

However, Smith believes that that was the wrong approach.

"I don't agree with that," Smith told talkSPORT. "I know managers try to use that as a negotiating ploy but Arsene Wenger wouldn't have put Theo Walcott in the team if he didn't think he was good enough.

"As a manager, you pick the best 11 players at your disposal. You are not doing a favour to anybody just to try and develop them and help their career.

"He obviously thought Theo was good enough when he went in the team at 16, 17 and now that Walcott has developed he wants to get the best for himself. If you're not good enough, the club get rid of you."

Walcott signed for the Gunners in 2006.

ID:60456: cacheID:60456:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2250:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsene Wenger
Read Next:
Wenger: 'Walcott should give back to Arsenal'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!