Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has said that it would be "a shame" if Theo Walcott left the club during the summer.

The 26-year-old's future has been the subject of speculation this week, with Liverpool and Chelsea both linked with moves for the winger.

Wright is concerned that the England international will leave the Emirates Stadium because of Arsene Wenger's refusal to play him as a striker.

"It's a shame for him, and the fact that people are talking about him maybe moving on if someone else comes in makes me quite sad," Wright told Goal.com. "I really like him at Arsenal but he's got massive decisions to make in the next few months.

"I always believed Theo should have been a striker at Arsenal with his pace. I thought playing him on the right would last so long and then he would get moved inside. I'm not saying he's the same kind of player as Thierry Henry by any stretch, but I thought Arsene would move him inside.

"I think that's been to his detriment, because he would have learned a lot more about the game and runs he'd have to make. I've seen him finish very well when he gets into one-on-one situations."

Walcott joined Arsenal from Southampton in 2006.