Get off Walcott's back

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stood by Theo Walcott, insisting the criticism is harsh.

Having gone to the World Cup and not played a game, there was a lot of criticism heading in Walcott's way, Wenger is adamant it wasn't the players fault but rather that of former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson.

There was also speculation that Wenger had told Sven that Walcott should definitely go, however he has denied this.

"I think the criticisms he has been given have been harsh," said Wenger.

"It's a lot of pressure for a very young man to deal with. I can accept players being criticised if they play badly but to criticise them when they don't even play is harsh. He's very young but people want him to be a star in England.

"I never said he should definitely go to the World Cup, I just said that I would be happy if he did go. Was he ready? He is playing against Aston Villa and that is no harder than playing against Costa Rica or Ecuador or a side like that. Sven [Goran Eriksson] decided to take him and then he didn't decide to play him. That's an issue for him and not for me. Theo shouldn't be criticised for that. He will also get much better. He's a very good listener."