Wenger: Walcott snub a mistake

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims the omission of Theo Walcott from England's World Cup squad was an obvious mistake.

Head coach Fabio Capello raised eyebrows when he overlooked the 21-year-old forward on the eve of the tournament.

Walcott was cut from a provisional 30-man squad with Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon of Tottenham both preferred in the wide right role.

But following England's dismal showing in South Africa which ended with a 4-1 defeat to Germany at the last 16 stage, Wenger has questioned Capello's decision to omit Walcott.

"It was a big mistake," said the Frenchman."Walcott is a player who can change a game upside down in the second half in your favour.

"He has speed and can cause a lot of problems for the opponents."

Walcott has won 11 caps for England and became the youngest player in history to score a hat-trick for the Three Lions during a 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Croatia at Wembley in September 2008.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email