Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has voiced his concern over the 'damaged mindset' of Theo Walcott, following the forward's miserable evening against Italy earlier this week.

The 26-year-old, who is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium this summer, was fielded as a striker by England boss Roy Hodgson in Turin, before dropping back to play at the tip of a midfield diamond.

Walcott struggled to make an impact in the unorthodox role, a position Wenger admits that he has never even trained in before, and upon his return to Arsenal there is a concern that he may now take some time to get back up to speed.

"Theo's sensitive and I'm a bit concerned about the damage that game can have on his mind," the Gunners boss is quoted as saying by The Telegraph. "Being exposed like that, people have a harsh judgement on him that is not deserved.

"I don't think it was the intention of Roy Hodgson to play him there. It was maybe [Wayne] Rooney who took the initiative during the game to play higher up and tell Theo to drop back. I haven't seen Roy Hodgson in the game standing up to say: 'Walcott, you come and play in midfield and Rooney you go up front.' That's an initiative they took on the pitch.

"It was a complicated game for the strikers because Italy defended with three centre-backs, two players in front of the two centre-backs and England played all in there so there was no room, no space."

Walcott has been linked with a move away from Arsenal when his contract expires, with Chelsea the latest club to have reportedly shown an interest in signing the Englishman.