Wenger’s wary over Walcott’s U21 role

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Gunners boss claims he will not stand in the winger's way should Stuart Pearce call him up for the European Championships in Sweden but is sure it will not benefit him in the long term.

Walcott marked his second start at full international level with a hat-trick against Croatia but could be asked to step down should Pearce's side win their two-legged play-off next week.

Wenger said: "I would not be against it but when they go from a top team to the Under-21s with all the examples I have seen it doesn't really work.

"I can understand that England want to use him, he is 19 and if he can contribute to the Under-21 team then why not.

"I had that in France with Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka and they were already in the top team and then went below. It is never conclusive."

Meanwhile, Wenger wants fans who are guilty of racist abuse to be singled out.

His call comes after former Gunner Sol Campbell was a target for taunts while playing for Portsmouth against Tottenham last weekend.

Campbell, who left Spurs for Arsenal, was the subject of abuse by visiting fans in Pompey's 2-0 win at Fratton Park and Wenger said: "Abuse cannot be tolerated from anybody towards anybody.

"How can you fight against it? You can single out people who do it, you can punish them individually by not letting them in.

"Sometimes stupidity is contagious and sometimes in the crowd there is a competition to see who can be most stupid. That is why you should not let these people be together.

"There is a big tournament and the abuse only becomes singled out when it's racism.

"That is not the only abuse you get in the stadium but maybe people only get touched by it when it is racism.

"Insults in any way should not be tolerated."