Arsène Wenger does not make a habit of scolding his players in public, but he conceded yesterday that Theo Walcott has not delivered on his promise since signing from Southampton in 2006. The 18-year-old’s immediate punishment for failing to live up to his potential is to be dropped from the Arsenal squad to face Fulham at Craven Cottage today, although he can expect to return for the Carling Cup semi-final, second leg against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

It is two years this weekend since Wenger made Walcott the most expensive 16-year-old in football history by paying up to £12 million to Southampton. The youngster has illuminated the occasional match, but his limited impact is best demonstrated by his record of only four goals — and none in the Premier League.

Walcott looked dejected when he was substituted after an hour of last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City and Wenger admitted that he is lacking confidence. “He was troubled a little bit,” the manager said. “It can happen at that age and it’s part of the learning process. They have to deal with that. The expectation level is very high because he is very young and he has been projected early in the spotlight.

“I still believe he is strong enough and good enough to make it. He will get where I expect him to be, but at the moment, he is not. He plays on confidence and he has qualities that will come out. I tried to force him to play wide, but I am today convinced he will be a central player.

“He is not happy when he does not play and you don’t expect him to be happy when he doesn’t play, but I believe he is on the way to getting into the team.”

Wenger will resist the temptation to send Walcott on loan, however, despite widespread interest in many of his players. “Loan-wise, I have interest from nearly all the other clubs outside the top four, for all the players,” he said. “They want not to buy them, but to use them.”

Wenger will welcome Tomas Rosicky, the Czech Republic midfield player, back from injury today.