Arsene Wenger has strongly rejected the idea that Arsenal’s exit from the Capital One cup, following a shock midweek defeat to League Two side Bradford, will have any major effect on the club, or its players, in the long term. Wenger was baffled when asked by a reporter if the exit could influence Theo Walcott’s thinking as Arsenal continue their attempts to get the England international to sign a new contract.

Recent stories have suggested Wenger has fallen out with his coaching staff, in particular assistant manager Steve Bould, and that the Frenchman rules the team in a dictatorial manner.

Wenger denied these claims, saying “we are a united staff team”, although he did not mention assistant manager Steve Bould by name despite being asked specifically about his relationship with his number two.