Theo out! Walcott faces Arsenal axe in mass clear-out as Wenger loses patience

Arsene Wenger is running out of patience with Theo Walcott and could sell the England forward in a summer clear-out.



Arsenal’s humiliating 4-0 defeat by AC Milan on Wednesday night will have far-reaching consequences as the Gunners manager prepares to wield the axe, with Walcott the highest-profile player on his radar.



Wenger launched a furious tirade at his players during a team meeting at the club’s London Colney training ground on Thursday, warning them that he will not tolerate any more performances like the debacle in Milan.

Hauled off: Theo Walcott was substituted at half-time after a peripheral performance in Milan

That embarrassing defeat has also put skipper Robin van Persie a step closer to leaving the club as Arsenal sources told Sportsmail that a number of players are now fighting for their futures.



As former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit claimed Walcott and other young players have not repaid Wenger’s faith in them, the manager has decided enough is enough and will ship out players who have underachieved.

Petit was scathing of Arsenal’s performance, telling French website sofoot.com: ‘In midfield there isn’t anything now, the defence is constantly under construction.



Stagnant: Emmanuel Petit (left) slammed Walcott for a lack of progress

‘Certain young players haven’t done enough to justify the confidence that Arsene has in them.

‘Walcott — somehow he’s going to have to reach the next stage. It’s been years that he’s been at the same level.’



Walcott was substituted at half-time and the arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has cast doubt on whether the England winger is worth a starting place.

Inept: The gulf in class between AC Milan and Arsenal was a sight to behold

Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh, Sebastien Squillaci, Tomas Rosicky and Park Ju-young are all likely to leave and Van Persie, whose deal expires at the end of next season, has yet to sign a new contract.

