Walcott signs on to give Gunners a boost
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After exiting both the FA Cup and Champions League in recent weeks, Arsenal have received some much needed good news with the club confirming that Theo Walcott has signed a new ‘long-term’ contract.
Walcott, 20, has been rewarded for a season in which he has tangibly progressed despite suffering from a nasty shoulder injury, scoring in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and Champions League quarter final against Villarreal, as well as claiming a remarkable hat-trick for England against Croatia.
That feat, achieved in Zagreb in September, served notice of Walcott’s growing potential to an international audience and after opening negotiations over a new deal in January, Arsenal have moved swiftly to secure the future of one of their brightest prospects.
“We are absolutely delighted that Theo has committed his long term future to Arsenal Football Club,” manager Arsene Wenger told the club’s official website.
“Theo is an intelligent player with amazing ability and speed, and has developed extremely well this season.
“At still only 20 years of age, Theo has huge potential for the forthcoming years and we are all looking forward to see him grow even more in an Arsenal shirt.”
Walcott became the most expensive 16-year-old in history when joining Arsenal from Southampton in January 2006 and, although he had to wait until the following season to make his debut for the club, he was a shock inclusion in Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad for the World Cup in Germany.
The forward, who has more often than not been utilised as a winger by Wenger, claimed his first goal for the club in the Carling Cup final defeat to Chelsea in 2007 and has to date scored 14 goals for The Gunners.
After claiming Thierry Henry’s old number 14 shirt in the summer, Walcott looks on course to become the Frenchman’s long-term replacement at Emirates Stadium and the fans’ favourite is delighted to have extended his stay at the club.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have signed a new long term contract,” said Walcott. “I’m so happy here and just want to say thanks to everyone who has helped me get to this point in my career.
“Together with the belief of my team mates, the boss and everyone on the staff, everyone has got behind me here at Arsenal which is brilliant.
“It’s fantastic to work with the best manager in the world and play at Emirates Stadium, which is an unbelievable place to play in. I just want to continue playing my football at this club and look forward to many successful seasons ahead.”