Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said Tuesday he was stunned his striker Theo Walcott has been overlooked for England despite their depleted attack.

Everton’s Andy Johnson and Tottenham’s Darren Bent have pulled out of the squad for Wednesday’s friendly against visitors Germany at Wembley.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney is out with a fractured left foot and Newcastle’s Michael Owen is short of fitness.

Meanwhile Liverpool’s Peter Crouch is suspended for one of the two 2008 European Championship qualifiers next month.

“I was surprised last week when people were talking about a striking crisis in England and nobody mentioned Walcott,” Wenger told Arsenal’s website.

Walcott, who featured in England’s 2006 World Cup squad, is instead on Under-21 duty at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate in a friendly against Romania.

Although the 18-year-old has impressed as a striker, he can also play on the wing or in other attacking positions. Even Wenger has not worked out what his best position is.

“I am not completely sure yet,” Wenger admitted.

“At the moment I feel he is a bit more of a wide player but because he makes good runs he would be good in the centre as well.

“But you then have to find the right partner for him. He is a runner so you need someone who keeps the ball next to him. It is difficult for him and that is why I am using him more wide.”

Walcott missed the recent Under-21 European Championships as he recovered from shoulder surgery. Wenger feels the youngster is now returning to full fitness.

“It has taken him some time but now in the last week I can see he is really coming back,” the Frenchman said.

“I had the same experience with (Switzerland defender) Philippe Senderos when he had an operation on his shoulder. It takes you much longer than you expected. When you fall down and your shoulder pops out, you cannot be the same player.

“Even when they are back for four or five weeks, when you test them in normal training they have not recovered their speed. It is because of your co-ordination. Only then do you discover how much a player needs his arms and shoulders to play football. It is unbelievable.”

Source:Soccer News