Walcott "We couldn't look at Wenger in the eyes"

Theo Walcott has admitted he did not dare look Arsene Wenger in the eye after the Gunners threw away a four-goal lead at Newcastle on Saturday.

Walcott claimed the Magpies taught his side a lesson at St James' Park as Abou Diaby's dismissal provided the trigger for one of the most astounding top-flight comebacks of all time.

Not until the Gunners' squad left their charter flight in Luton and discovered Manchester United had lost at Wolves was some kind of perspective put on the performance, the gap to the leaders actually narrowing to four points.

Before that, Walcott and his team-mates thought the wise option was to stay out of a clearly furious Wenger's way.

"None of us wanted to look the boss in the eye," said the winger. "It was such a disappointment. When you are 4-0 up and want to win the league, it shouldn't happen, even if you have a man sent off.

"Newcastle taught us a lesson. They showed us how to play against 10 men. We are known for keeping the ball. On Saturday we didn't."