Arsenal forward, Theo Walcott has signed a new three-and-a-half year deal worth £100,000 a week with the London club.
The deal ends weeks of speculation about the future of the 23-year-old who is the club’s top scorer yet this season, after he turned down a £75,000-a-week offer last August.
Earlier in the season, Wenger had secured new contracts for Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson. Joining Walcott to the list gives him a lot of happiness.
“We are all delighted that Theo has signed a new contract,” he said. “He joined us as a 16-year-old, and since then has developed very well to become an extremely important player for both Arsenal Football Club and England.
He described Walcott has a strong player and also a great person, saying the combination of his ability and pace makes him such a valuable asset either from the flanks or down the middle.
“Theo’s contract extension now gives us a strong nucleus of ambitious young players who have committed to the club and want to be successful with us as a group,” he added.
Walcott himself expressed happiness at extending his Arsenal career despite reported interest from the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.
“I am very happy to have signed a new contract here,” he said. “Thanks to everyone for their continued support — the manager, everyone at the club and, most importantly, the fans.
“I have made it clear from the start that I wanted to stay at Arsenal, so I am pleased we have agreed a deal that everyone is happy with. What’s important now is for the team to realise its potential and win trophies.”
