Arsenal are set to open up contract talks with Theo Walcott, in the hopes of tying him down to a new long term contract, as reported by the Daily Star.
The winger has struggled with injury recently, although he made his return to the Gunners’ first team against Burnley at the weekend, his first appearance since a 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in January in the FA Cup.
Walcott’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season, and as a result, Arsene Wenger is hopeful about giving him a new deal.
The England international’s last contract was agreed in January 2013 after a period of tense talks with the north London club.
The deal was for three and a half years, and is on the cusp of expiring.
Wenger is also hopeful that the deal will thereby tie Walcott down for his best years.
The player is only 26, when many forwards peak.
Wenger said: “We are starting talks, we are starting to sit down with him.
“He has one-and-a-half years to go in December. It is never an easy job with him.
“It should be his peak years, yes, because he is going on 26. It’s the best years now, so hopefully we can profit from that.”
