Arsenal Transfer News: Theo Walcott Transfer Update

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will remain at the Gunners over the 2012/13 English Premier League season, according to latest reports—putting to an end any talk about a potential move by the England international over the summer transfer window.

Walcott was believed to have attracted interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City about a potential move this summer, but according to multiple media outlets, the 23-year-old will not leave the Emirates before the transfer deadline closes in two days time.

The Independent reports that Arsene Wenger has dropped any ultimatum he made to Walcott about his playing future, and that the club will resolve a new contract with the winger over the next few weeks.

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Theo Walcott was told by the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, yesterday that the club have backed down from their ultimatum that he must sign a new deal before tomorrow's 11pm transfer window deadline or face the prospect of being sold.

Walcott was incredulous at Arsenal's ultimatum, delivered last Friday, given he has never expressed any desire to leave the club.

It has always been his intention to sign a new deal, although not necessarily before the end of the current transfer window, and relations had previously been smooth between club and player until the last seven days.

The north London club are now hopeful that they can reach agreement with Walcott on a new deal over the next few weeks and want to leave the events of the last few days behind them. Wenger will be a crucial figure in smoothing over the relationship between the player and the club.

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Despite interest from Manchester City and Liverpool in particular about a potential move, it seems then that Walcott will not be moving on from the Emirates—a fact bound to receive mixed emotions from Gunners fans.

With the sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United, Arsenal have looked sluggish in their attack to start the Premier League season and will need all the attacking assistance available if they are to challenge for a top-four spot this season.

New kids on the block Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud were all brought in to boost the Gunners' attack, but they have so far failed to find the back of the net in the English competition. Thus having a player like Walcott around—who can cover throughout midfield and attack—could be of assistance moving forward.

Having said that, Walcott has never truly lived up to the potential that he promised and does not possess the technical skill or ability that the likes of Cazorla and Podolski do in Arsenal's attack this season. Many consider him to be overrated—simply a runner that wears football boots.

Due to talented players around him and the fact that the England international is potentially blocking the development of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, it is understandable why some would consider Walcott to be somewhat of a waste in the Gunners' midfield.

But whether or not that means he has no place at Arsenal is still unknown, with a contract decision on the 23-year-old unlikely to be made in the near future.

After all, Arsenal do have bigger problems to worry about than whether or not Theo Walcott's contract is all sorted. They have goals to score, a Premier League competition to compete in and the opportunity to challenge for European glory this season.

For mine, the onus of responsibility lies with Arsenal.

After all, it was their ultimatum, not Theo Walcott's.

What do you make of Theo Walcott's contract situation?

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