Stuart Pearce hits back at Arsene Wenger: We haven't wrecked Theo Walcott

The Gunners boss has repeatedly blamed Walcott's involvement with both England's Under-21s and the senior side last summer for ongoing injury problems that have left the 20-year-old to brand this season his most frustrating in a fledging career.

Walcott, back in the England squad for the first time since August, has only started seven matches for his club this season and his most recent appearances have prompted audible consternation among the Emirates Stadium faithful, with only his 78-minute outing against Sunderland last month containing any sign of a return to form.

He played a part in all five matches at the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden last June — starting three and coming on as a substitute in the other two — after beginning both the senior's games against Andorra and Kazakhstan earlier that month.

Arguably Walcott's best performances yet have come on international duty — his hat-trick against Croatia in September 2008 was hailed as the moment he came of age but his relative stagnation since is the chief source of frustration for all concerned.

Ongoing shoulder, knee and back problems have hampered him but Pearce vociferously rejects Wenger's claims that the Under-21 side have been a detrimental factor.

"I don't agree with Arsene at all," he said. "He didn't play for long periods of last season but he was fully fit at the end so he came with me to the Championships. It was a great experience and his first participation in a major international tournament but then he hasn't featured a great deal this year.

"When he left me he was fully fit. I can't be responsible for him picking up an injury at Arsenal. One thing I can say is that it is a great honour to play for your country. I have been injured playing for my country —­ it happens.

"Most of the injuries Theo has picked up have come while playing for his club so I don't really understand where Arsene is coming from.

"He has not been over-extended in playing too many games. Two years ago, when Theo played every match for the Under-21s, it built his confidence up when he wasn't playing so well for Arsenal, they benefited and I didn't hear him [Wenger] complain then.

"It has been a bit stop and start for Theo to say the least. He played extremely well against Sunderland and he will be aware now that he has got to stay injury free and get a run of form together when playing for Arsenal. Then he will get in the squad for South Africa and that should be his target."

Pearce and Wenger do at least agree on reminding Walcott's critics that his career remains at an embryonic stage.

The winger burst on the scene in 2005 to become Southampton's youngest-ever player aged 16 years and 143 days and made 23 appearances before joining Arsenal for £12million in January the following year.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's decision to take Walcott to the World Cup later that year despite having not yet made his debut for the club has perhaps given the impression he has been capable at the highest level for longer than he has.

Wenger's reluctance to throw him in at the deep end and persistent injuries have restricted him to just 67 starts in five seasons for the Gunners.

"Theo has got to build up a bank of appearances," said Pearce, who was instructed by England coach Fabio Capello not to pick Walcott for tomorrow night's Under- 21 European Championship qualifier against Greece in Doncaster.

"If you break down over his whole career how many games he has started and how many he has finished, it bears no comparison with someone like Aston Villa's James Milner.

"He is a couple of years older but he has played a similar number of internationals as Theo has played club matches. You learn by playing.

"You can pick things up on the training ground but if you haven't played the matches then all of a sudden there are a lot of young players who don't have the required experience.

"By the time I was 21 years old, albeit at non-league level, I had played 250 games. It is really important that we don't lose track of the fact Theo was born in 1989. He has got a long way to go but the raw ability he has got, convinced Arsenal to pay £12m for him a few years ago now."

Walcott is not certain to start for England tomorrow evening yet Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon's ongoing injury problems coupled with ManchesterCity manager Roberto Mancini's reluctance to play Shaun Wright-Phillips leaves the right-side berth as competitive as any in the team.

Equally, Milner, who has started 189 matches, has seemingly graduated into the senior team while playing predominantly as a central midfielder for Aston Villa.

Pearce added: "Theo was part of my squad and will be until he is too old — maybe he will be the one who goes on and deliver."

Perhaps only then will Pearce and Wenger again see eye to eye.

Stuart Pearce was speaking at the launch of the Nationwide Right Hand Fan competition. Football fans have the opportunity to win a trip to South Africa following England this summer by uploading a short video entry to the England Team Sponsors web site. For more information go to www.nationwidefootball.co.uk