I think the latest comments from Arsene Wenger on the contract situation between Arsenal and the England international Theo Walcott will have met with two very different responses from Arsenal fans, much like the results of the general election today.
The Frenchman all but declared that he would not be selling the flying forward in the summer transfer window, even if the 26-year old cannot be convinced to come to terms over an extension to his current contract, as reported by the Daily Mail. That could put the club in a problem position with Walcott’s contract about to enter its final year but the boss does not seem too concerned about this.
Wenger said, “I want him to stay, when you go into negotiations with a player it is with a desire for him to stay.
“He looks keen to do it and I am keen to do it, so let’s see what comes out.
“The focus is on what you do in case of failure. We are always in the mode where we want to be successful.
“In case of failure, we’ll see but in case of failure – that will only be in December.”
Some Arsenal fans see Walcott as a great weapon to have in the Arsenal armoury, with his pace and the finishing we saw from him in the first half of last season and the one prior to that when he was the club’s top scorer. These fans are more concerned about Wenger not playing him enough although that could change now.
Others see Theo as an expensive luxury at best and a liability at worst and would much rather see him sold for a decent amount which the manager could then use on a new player. Maybe his future will depend on what happens at the start of next season, with Arsenal’s results and Walcott’s performances possibly to swing the balance.
What would you guys do with him?