Young and old conflict at Arsenal.

Arsenal winger, Theo Walcott, has gone head on against the comments made by his manager, Arsene Wenger, and insists that playing for your country at any level should be an honour. Wenger had said that Walcott being picked by both the England U21 side and the full first team would not allow one of his best young players enough time to rest over the summer.

Walcott has met these statements head on and says that whatever the level and whatever the game if England come calling then he is never going to say no. Wenger’s point is a good one considering the physical stress that modern day players are put under but you cannot help but admire Walcott’s ambition and almost childish nature.

Walcott said: “You should be proud to play for your country. I’m happy to play for both teams and put 100 per cent in and that’s what I will do.” Walcott is clearly a very talented and modest young man that takes playing for his country as seriously as he takes playing for his club.

No doubt that if Walcott picks up a bad injury this summer that keeps him out of Arsenal’s pre-season then the story will be reproduced in endless quantities until both parties have had their say to the FA cup. It is clear Wenger is not happy and even after Walcott ripped out the heart of Croatia in a World Cup qualifier he stated his fears that the euphoria surrounding Walcott would become too much for the young man to handle.

Wenger said: “I’ve let it be known to the FA that he should not play in both national teams during the holiday period. Capello is understanding and Pearce is less understanding. It is difficult for us to accept, but we cannot do anything about it.”

Surely Stuart Pearce just wants the best players at his disposal as England’s U21s go into the European Cup this summer hoping to avenge the heart break of semi-final defeat last time round. It is not a case of Pearce not being understanding enough, it is a case of him just wanting his country to win and he feels that picking Walcott, despite other commitments, is his best chance of doing this.

If Walcott comes out the European U21 finals as top scorer and also plays a blinder in the first team’s World Cup qualifiers then no one can be unhappy. The FA and England will be satisfied as their picking of Walcott will be justified and Wenger will be happy as one of his younger players has a lot more experience and has come through the summer unscathed.

It seems that Wenger should maybe just let Walcott off the leash a little and trust the young man to know when to say no, enough is enough, I’m too tired to play and need a rest. It is no good wrapping a player up in cotton wool because if you do then it will not get him anywhere.

There have been numerous occasions this summer where it has been quite clear that Walcott has not been good enough. He is still a very young man and the only way he will get better is through consistency and this will come through more games.