Arsenal won’t sell Walcott – Wenger

Arsene Wenger said he is confident Theo Walcott will sign a new contract at Arsenal and ruled out a summer exit for the England international.

According to Soccernet, Walcott’s current Arsenal contract is due to expire next year and, although talks are now taking place over an extension, the forward’s lack of first-team football since recovering from a long-term knee injury has led to doubts over whether he will be willing to commit.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, but Wenger said he is optimistic a new deal will be agreed.

“We are already talking to him,” Wenger said. “Today, I am not in that mode of thinking because 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’m keen to do it. Let’s see what comes out.

“The press always ask what we do in case of failure. We want to be successful. In case of failure, that will only be in December next year (season).”

Wenger also said he has no plans to sell 23-year-old full-back Carl Jenkinson, who has impressed during a season-long loan at West Ham.

“I met Carl Jenkinson this week to speak about his future,” Wenger said. “We will sit down together again at the end of the season. My target is to keep him here at the club. He had a great season and has moved forward.

“Overall, he has gained a lot of confidence at West Ham and the decision I have to make is: ‘Do I bring him back now or does he need one more year to play somewhere in the Premier League?’ That is what I have to decide at the end of the season.

“I agree that he needs experience. He is a very promising right-back with good quality and he has had a year where he has moved forward.”