Former Gunner Tells Arsenal to Sell Walcott

Football pundit and former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson feels the Gunners should sell Theo Walcott this summer if his wage demands are too high. The England international's contract expires next season and the parties are yet to agree to a new deal, with wages reportedly being a stumbling block.

An earlier IBTimes UK report suggested the 23 year old has been attracting interest from Chelsea.

Robson feels Walcott, who managed eight goals and eight assists last season, does not justify high wages unlike club captain Robin van Persie and should be allowed to leave if he demands a bigger package.

"It wouldn't worry me if Theo Walcott were to leave tomorrow. Theo Walcott, for me, is not a good footballer. He is an athlete who puts on a pair of football boots," ESPN quoted Robson as saying.

"He is quick, he is fast, but when he was younger he should have been taught how to be better technically, how to find space, how to find awareness. He has never done that and he is a liability when he is defending. For Theo Walcott to want more money, I would let him go," the 47 year old added.

Robson is a pundit for Arsenal TV and ESPN2 and also had a stint as manager at Southend United. He joined the Gunners' academy in 1978 and left eight years later after making 150 league appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, Rennes have informed Arsenal they will have to wait till the end of the 2012 European Championships if they want to sign the club's highly rated midfielder Yann M'Vila, according to the Metro. The French club are clearly hoping for an impressive showing by their star in Poland and Ukraine, which would then allow them to raise their asking price.

Arsene Wenger has been a huge admirer of the 21 year old and even had a bid for him rejected by the Ligue 1 club on deadline day back in August. Inter Milan are also keen on the Frenchman but Rennes have decided the player will be going nowhere till the European Championships are over. M'Vila himself said as much a few days ago.

"I think my future will be resolved after Euro 2012. I do not think about it. I am only thinking about the France team. If I have to sign in August, I will. The France team comes first," Goal.com quoted the midfielder as saying.