Arsenal latest transfer news and rumours: Walcott worry

It seems as though Theo Walcott has been indoctrinated by Robin Van Persie’s ungrateful school of thought to the point where his decision to pay back the nurturing and patience shown by Arsenal is to hold out for more money or leave.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stuck by the troubled winger in times of self-doubt that manifested in a string of poor performances, but now he faces a greater task of increasing his wages or risk losing him for nothing next year, when the player’s contract expires.

Speculation had grown during the final weeks of the transfer window that Walcott had turned down a new deal, worth £75,000 a week and was instead, holding out for £100,000.

In typical Wenger style, the Arsenal boss kept fans guessing on how he felt the situation would proceed, telling the Guardian:

“At the moment, I still hope to extend his contract so, at the moment, it doesn’t affect me.

“Of course at some stage … if, in April, it’s not done, you can think it will be difficult to do.”

Walcott has fell down the pecking order at Arsenal within recent weeks making way for fellow ex-Southampton youngster Alex Chamberlain, who in stark contrast to Walcott, immediately won over fans with attacking nous and intent.

Walcott will expect to play some part of tonight’s Champions League match against Montpellier, if nothing else, to prove his worth to the manager that shielded him from criticism from press and throw cold water on any further transfer gossip, rumour or speculation.

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