Walcott left out of Arsenal squad

LONDON COLNEY (Reuters) - Arsenal teenager Theo Walcott has been dropped from the squad for Saturday's Premier League game at Fulham and manager Arsene Wenger believes the time has come to switch him to a central striking role.

"I think he is waiting to play in the centre and that is where he will be happiest because he is a direct player, he has good timing for his runs and I believe he will do well," Wenger told reporters ahead of the game at Craven Cottage.

The Arsenal manager, who famously switched Thierry Henry from the wing to a central role, explained that Walcott had been omitted from the squad for Saturday's game so he could prepare for Tuesday's League Cup semi-final at rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

"He will get a chance up front but he is not in the squad for Fulham because we play again on Tuesday and some have to practise to play on Tuesday," added Wenger.

Arsenal's young League Cup team drew 1-1 in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium but are still hoping to repeat last year's triumph over Spurs at the same stage of the competition.

Walcott became the most expensive 16-year-old in the history of British football after a 12 million pounds move to Arsenal from Southampton in 2006.

The forward was then surprisingly included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England World Cup squad and big things were anticipated of him but he has failed to live up to those expectations.

RARE START

Walcott has been forced to wait patiently for his chance at Arsenal. He did get a rare Premier League start last week but put in a disappointing performance against Birmingham City when he was picked to play on the wing.