Arsene warns of Theo burnout

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has warned England that Theo Walcott could suffer burnout if he competes at this summer's European Under 21 Championship. Walcott is likely to be named in Stuart Pearce's squad for the forthcoming tournament in Sweden, but Wenger fears for the youngster's fitness. And the French coach has confirmed he will speak with England manager Fabio Capello in the hope that Walcott is rested ahead of next season, which ends with the 2010 World Cup. Wenger said: "We can try to influence the situation but cannot decide it. "It is a decision of the FA because if Walcott is burnt out then they will suffer as well. If there is no summer break then he goes all season and to the next World Cup." He added: "I have not spoken to Fabio Capello yet but I will do. I would prefer he did not go to Sweden but that is all I can do. "We can try to influence the situation but we cannot decide it." Meanwhile, Walcott has claimed that someone spat in his water bottle during the Gunners' 3-0 Premier League win at Portsmouth last weekend. He said in the News of the World: "I drank from my water bottle just before the start of the first half before throwing it to the side of the pitch. "I was told afterwards that my dad had to phone Paul Irwin, our player liaison officer, to get a message to the bench because someone took my bottle, unscrewed it and spat in it. That's just not appropriate, not nice to see." "The people on our bench were praying I didn't go over to drink it. I could have when there was a break in play for an injury but, fortunately, I didn't." A Portsmouth spokesman added: "We cannot investigate further until someone makes an official complaint."