Jamie Redknapp baffled by Theo Walcott and co.

Jamie Redknapp says he is baffled by Theo Walcott’s decision to remain on the fringes at Arsenal.

Writing in his Daily Mail column the former Tottenham and Liverpool midfielder took a swipe at Walcott and a couple of his Arsenal team-mates in the wake of their 1-0 defeat at Stoke on Saturday.

Walcottt has made three appearances from the bench this season, including the Charity Shield win over Chelsea, but at 28-years-old, the England man should be in his prime, not a playing a bit-part role from the bench.

The winger, who has two years remaining on his contract, has been withe the Gunners for 11 years, but Redknapp thinks the time is right to move on.

“The problem is that everything is far too comfortable at Arsenal. Nobody plays as if they are under any pressure,” said Redknapp.

“I cannot understand why players such as Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are content to remain on the fringes of the first team. They should be trying to force their way in or go and kickstart their careers elsewhere.”

Redknapp thought the Gunners’ FA Cup final win over Chelsea last May pointed towards a “fresh start”, but the reverse at Stoke highlighted old problems.

“After Arsenal’s superb victory in the FA Cup final over Chelsea, I hoped this season would be a fresh start. Instead, it appears to have been a false dawn. Arsenal remain beset by the same old problems,” added Redknapp.

“Arsenal were slipping to defeat at Stoke, I could not help but think I was watching a re-run of last season.

“They rode their luck against Leicester and were punished by a Stoke side who were far hungrier.

“Yes, Arsenal have not always had success at Stoke but it was only three months ago that they beat them 4-1 on the same ground.”

Wilshere spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, but has not been in the squad this season and looks unlikely to play a part for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Gibbs meanwhile has also failed to make a matchday squad this season with several other players ahead of him in the pecking order.