England coach Fabio Capello axed Arsenal winger Theo Walcott from his World Cup squad for failing to follow instructions. The Daily Mail says the Italian is thought to have lost patience with the Arsenal winger after he failed to respond to instructions he was given when the players sat through a DVD of last week's friendly against Mexico.

To the astonishment of the other squad members, Walcott was singled out for scathing criticism from Capello for the way he played against the Mexicans.

Capello, it is understood, wanted the 21-year-old to attack his full back on the outside and then cross, but too often he turned inside and lost possession.

When Walcott then did the same against Japan, Capello decided he had no choice but to opt for Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright- Phillips as his quick wide men.