Arsenal transfers: Re-signing Walcott ‘would send out right message’

Arsene Wenger admits he is desperate to give Arsenal fans something to cheer about by convincing Theo Walcott to sign a new deal.

The 23-year-old’s future has been a source of constant speculation in recent months, with the forward’s current contract set to expire in the summer.

Walcott is understood to have agreed a deal in the region of £90,000-a-week over the last few days but is yet to put pen to paper.

And Wenger, whose side host Manchester City on Sunday, believes tying the England international down to a new deal is key.

“Theo signing would at least give a positive message out for us,” said Wenger. “To the fans who love the club, that the way is not necessarily the exit but stability.

“When you go for a policy of young players like we have, you know when they get to 23-30 or more they will play for you, but if you give them a chance at 18 and at 23 they leave, you have basically worked for another club.

“[Alex] Chamberlain is 19, [Jack] Wilshere is 21, Walcott is 23, [Carl] Jenkinson 20, [Kieran] Gibbs 23. You need this core inside which represents the strengths and values of a club. We had that before – [Thierry] Henry and [Patrick] Vieira stayed for eight or nine years – and we have created it again.”