Arsenal ace Theo Walcott started on the bench against Middlesbrough (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal fans began speculating about why Theo Walcott was dropped from Arsene Wenger’s starting XI at Middlesbrough on Monday evening – and many are confident they know the real reason.

Walcott was widely criticised for his post-match comments following Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at Selhurst Park as the England star bizarrely suggested Crystal Palace ‘wanted it more’.

‘They wanted it more. You could sense that from the kick-off,’ the 28-year-old said following the dismal defeat.

Wenger hit out at Walcott for the comments on Friday and a number of Gooners believe it could be the real reason the forward was not named in the team at the Riverside Stadium.

Here’s how they reacted to the team news on Monday night…

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