Walcott signs new Arsenal deal

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has signed a new long-term contract with the North London club



The Gunners have not specified the exact length or terms of the deal, but one newspaper has reported it to be worth £60,000-a-week for four years.

Manager Arsene Wenger expressed his delight that the England international, who turned 20 in March of this year, has committed his future to the club.

Wenger said: "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."

Wenger signed Walcott at the age of just 17 after he had impressed as Southampton's youngest ever first-team player, and the versatile attacker is now an established player for club and country.

Walcott has scored 14 goals in 103 appearances for Arsenal, and he netted his first international goals with a hat-trick during England's World Cup qualifier win in Croatia in September.

Walcott said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have signed a new long term contract. 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."