According to tabloid reports, Theo Walcott's bottle was placed at the side of the pitch, where a Portsmouth fan took it, unscrewed the cap, and spat in it. The Arsenal striker was playing during the Gunners 3-0 win at Fratton Park a week ago.

Walcott told The News of the World, "I drank from my water bottle just before the start of the first half before throwing it to the side of the pitch.

"I was told afterwards that my dad had to phone Paul Irwin, our player liaison officer, to get a message to the bench because someone took my bottle, unscrewed it and spat in it. That's just not appropriate, not nice to see."

However, the Arsenal bench were unable to get a message to the player to tell him not to drink from the bottle.

"The people on our bench were praying I didn't go over to drink it. I could have when there was a break in play for an injury but, fortunately, I didn't."

A Portsmouth official claimed they are still waiting for an official complaint on the matter.

The spokesman said, "We cannot investigate further until someone makes an official complaint."