Theo Walcott wants to play as a striker while Coach Steve Bould and Director of the Academy Liam Brady aren’t getting on with Arsene Wenger, according to ex-Gunner and analyst Stewart Robson.

Earlier in the season the Arsenal defence, which seemed to have improved from last season, was lauded by many but Robson says Bould is not being given any leeway by Wenger who is managing by dicatation and “hasn’t got a defensive brain”.

Robson says Bould and Wenger are hardly talking to each other and Bould has been restricted to coaching warm up sessions, a distant reality from the popular perception that Bould has been given control of Arsenal’s defensive training.

Robson has been speaking to Oisin Langan about these internal issues and tomorrows encounter between Arsenal and Manchester United at Old Trafford.