Arsenal hero Alan Smith is upset with the way manager Arsene Wenger is treating assistant coach Steve Bould.

Smith has revealed Wenger does not allow Bould to have control over the defence in training and called it a “criminal waste" of the ex-defender's talents.

Smith told The Arsenal Opinion podcast: “You can only do what you're allowed to do on the training ground.

“Bould takes some stick off some but they don't see what goes on Monday to Friday.

“And I just think it is a criminal waste of his talents.

“He's one of the best defenders the club has ever had and not to use his knowledge, just seems senseless to me.

“He does bits and pieces I think without really going to town on getting hold of that back four they way George Graham did.

“Arsene is still in charge of all the sessions so I do think it is a waste of someone like him because he's not given that free hand to go out and pass on that great knowledge he's got."