Arsene Wenger: 'Theo Walcott not being left out due to contract issues'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied claims that winger Theo Walcott has not played more games for the Gunners because he has yet to sign a new contract at the club.

The England international's future at the Emirates has been called into question as the 23-year-old has yet to come to an agreement with the club's board over a new deal.

Walcott has also dropped down the rankings within the team and despite netting a hat-trick in the Gunners' League Cup win over Reading in midweek, the winger was benched for Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend.

"It is nothing linked to his contract at all," ESPN quotes Wenger as saying. "It's because I have played other players, simple as that. We started the season well, he was injured too. You do not want to base your contract negotiations on one game."

Walcott is a doubt for tonight's Champions League match against Schalke 04 due to illness.