Arsene Wenger today warned Theo Walcott's development could be harmed by playing for England Under-21s next summer.

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."