Arsenal Transfer News: Re-Signing Theo Walcott Crucial for Gunners' Future

Arsenal's No. 1 priority should be to come to an agreement on a contract extension for striker Theo Walcott. 

After watching Robin van Persie leave the club this summer for EPL rival Manchester United, ensuring that Walcott does not pull a similar move next summer is a must.

According to Husmukh Kerai of Goal.com, Arsene Wagner has begun the process of re-signing Walcott and is dedicated to keeping the striker with the club. The 23-year-old's current contract is set to expire within a year.

Walcott has been a fixture with the club since joining in 2006 and registered 11 goals and 13 assists in 46 appearances with the club last season. Walcott figures to be even more involved with the attack this season as the club attempts to replace the production of Van Persie.

With Walcott's youth and ability, he has real potential to spend more time in the center of Arsenal's attack rather than on the right wing where he has spent most of his time to this point in his career. However, Walcott's potential will be wasted if the club is unable to re-sign him.

To Wenger, the contract situation is rather simple. He told The Sun:

“We are still trying to extend his deal... When a player doesn't want to stay, you either force him or you let him go."

After allowing Van Persie and Nasri to walk this season, it could be assumed that Wenger is willing to pull out all the stops to ensure that he doesn't see Walcott go to. Whether or not the club is able to reach an extension with the young star will definitely impact the future.

After watching Van Persie walk away, Arsenal fans need to see Walcott stay before the club has to start overhauling the attack from scratch.