Theo Walcott

[marcus50bucks]

Ben Smith @BenSmithBBC
Talks between Wenger & Walcott described as amicable and there's now a commitment and hope a new deal will be signed at #AFC

[Vermilion]

But surely, BR's smile just means he's isn't going to make the same mistake and speak about another clubs player as he did with Demspey which resulted in a complaint, after a journo asked him a similar question then.

[Chris]

@LIVE_LFC: Brendan Rodgers reaction to when asked about Theo Walcott to Liverpool...

That was a "you cheeky cunt" type smile though rather than anything to do with Walcott as he answered the previous question with he wouldn't talk about other clubs players. Then some **** straight away asks about Walcott!

[baitman]

@LIVE_LFC: Brendan Rodgers reaction to when asked about Theo Walcott to Liverpool... http://t.co/jN8fAdVu

seen the tan on that bloke... is Brendan doing a guest slot on desperate scousewives

[Boogs]

I'm off to get Walcott on the back of my shirt.

You'll look a right div if you get hot and have to take your jacket off in a meeting

[Norbs]

[Chazza]

Theo Walcott set to stay at Arsenal after coming to short-term agreement with Arsene Wenger

Theo Walcott has reached a verbal agreement with Arsène Wenger on his short-term future following lengthy talks after training today at the club’s London Colney training base.

Although Walcott has told Wenger that he is not currently prepared to accept the offer of a five-year £75,000-a-week contract, he did inform the Arsenal manager that he wants to remain at the club and hold further discussions about his future.

Until Wenger’s talks with Walcott today, the view at Arsenal was that they were willing to sell their 23-year-old winger if he did not agree to sign a new contract by Friday’s closure of the transfer window.

Walcott, though, was unwilling to be pushed towards the exit door and still has the security of another year on his contract. Wenger is uneasy about allowing players to enter the final year of their contract but, after speaking directly with Walcott, is now prepared to accept the situation.

Arsenal were also encouraged by the tone of the discussions and the news that Walcott currently has no desire to leave, even amid interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.

Liverpool have already made a formal inquiry and Manchester City have asked to be kept informed of developments.

The resolve of Arsenal and Walcott could, of course, still be tested by a sizeable bid over the next 48 hours.

The bottom line, also, is that Walcott could leave for free on a Bosman transfer next summer if he does not agree a new contract between now and the end of the season.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9506826/Theo-Walcott-set-to-stay-at-Arsenal-after-coming-to-short-term-agreement-with-Arsene-Wenger.html

[kris90210]

Wenger has played himself into trouble YET-AGAIN with letting contracts run down. Beggars belief.

[dww]

Wenger has played himself into trouble YET-AGAIN with letting contracts run down. Beggars belief.

I'm with Dom on this. It seems much more like Wenger is one of the few in football who recognises that there is a sensible price to pay and after that you are just throwing away money on extra wages. It is obviously a conscious decision and given that Arsenal have consistently out performed ourselves and Spurs it seems to not be a terrible way to operate.

[kris90210]

I'm with Dom on this. It seems much more like Wenger is one of the few in football who recognises that there is a sensible price to pay and after that you are just throwing away money on extra wages. It is obviously a conscious decision and given that Arsenal have consistently out performed ourselves and Spurs it seems to not be a terrible way to operate.

That's fine, but isn't Wenger on like £7m a year? I'm sure he's one of the highest paid managers around. Seems like it's one rule for him and another for his players. Not surprising it's difficult to swallow.

Ultimately, his attitude is the main reason Arsenal haven't won anything in the past 6 years - what odds that'll be 7 this time next year? They're a rich club. It's all well and good having a strict wage structure, but not to the extent where it's actually harming the team's prospects.

[dom9]

I'm with Dom on this. It seems much more like Wenger is one of the few in football who recognises that there is a sensible price to pay and after that you are just throwing away money on extra wages. It is obviously a conscious decision and given that Arsenal have consistently out performed ourselves and Spurs it seems to not be a terrible way to operate.

They paid, what £12m for him, plus his wages which don't appear to have been astronomical. Have they got value for money? I'd say so.

[dww]

That's fine, but isn't Wenger on like £7m a year? I'm sure he's one of the highest paid managers around. Seems like it's one rule for him and another for his players. Not surprising it's difficult to swallow.

Ultimately, his attitude is the main reason Arsenal haven't won anything in the past 6 years - what odds that'll be 7 this time next year? They're a rich club. It's all well and good having a strict wage structure, but not to the extent where it's actually harming the team's prospects.

They might well be a rich club but who is to say that the owners want to reinvest in the squad? Wengers attitude is one of the main reasons anyone would describe them as a rich club.

I really think you have to consider the likes of City and Chelsea as being financially doped. Other than that the only more successful team would be United and they would probably have to be considered richer (spend more, earn more, pay higher wages). I don't think Wenger actually has a case of underperforming to answer.

[Slinky Skills]

@LIVE_LFC: Brendan Rodgers reaction to when asked about Theo Walcott to Liverpool... http://t.co/jN8fAdVu

[Chazza]

John Cross is a dickhead but is well connected at Arsenal.

[Reece]

He also supports them so maybe he's just in denial