Walcott too fast to last

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that Theo Walcott's pace could be at the root of his injury problems.

The 21-year-old England internationalist turned in a fine individual display as he helped himself to a double in the Gunners' 4-0 Carling Cup victory at Newcastle, which booked their place in the quarter-finals.

It was his first start since his return from an injury suffered on England duty and Wenger looked on as he rode a series of committed challenges with no ill-effects.

Wenger said: "At his pace, when you get stopped, you are always vulnerable. Last night, he got one or two tackles and he got away with it because he did not have his full weight on his standing leg.

"When you play against a player who is so quick, sometimes you can mistime tackles."