Arsene Wenger insists Theo Walcott will not be sold; ...even if he fails to agree new contract

Theo Walcott will not be sold by Arsenal even if he fails to agree a new contract with the club, manager Arsene Wenger has declared.

Walcott’s current deal expires at the end of next season but his representatives are already in talks with the club over a new contract.

The Gunners are keen to tie the 26-year-old down to a long-term deal in a bid to stave off interest from Liverpool and Manchester City and Wenger is optimistic he will commit his future to the club.

“We are already talking to him,” Wenger said. “Today I am not in that kind of mode of thinking [selling Walcott] because I just think 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, I am keen to do it so let’s see what comes out.”

Wenger insists the club are in no rush to conclude the deal and will not give up until the end of the year.

“The press is always asking what you do in case of failure and we are always in the mode we want to be successful,” he explained. “In case of failure, we will see. In case of failure anyway, we will only be in December or next year.”

Credit: Michelle/Setanta Sport