Arsenal's England international Theo Walcott has returned to fitness after a 10-month spell on the sidelines

Published: 6 November, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

NEGOTIATIONS are underway to get fit-again Theo Walcott to commit his “peak years” to Arsenal. 

The England international made his long-awaited return to action during Saturday’s 3-0 win over a struggling Burnley side following a 10-month spell on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury. 

Walcott signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal, reportedly worth £100,000-a-week, in January 2013, but that will have less than 18 months to run at the turn of the year. 

Despite only having played the last 10 minutes on Saturday, and having only started two matches in 2014, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that the club has opened talks regarding a new contract. 

“We are starting to sit down with him,” said the Frenchman. 

“I think he has one and a half years to go on his contract in December and it is never an easy job with him, you know. 

“Will he be at his peak in the next few years? He should be, yes,” added Wenger. 

“He is 25. It is the best years now so hopefully we can profit from that.” 

Since joining the Gunners as a teenager from Southampton in 2006, Walcott has scored 45 goals in 195 league appearances and has established himself as a key player for both club and country. 

He is expected to start on the bench again on Sunday when Arsenal face Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, with excited fans counting down the days to see Walcott in action alongside man-of-the-moment Alexis Sanchez. 

Wenger is expected to stick with the same back four that threw away a 3-0 lead against Anderlecht on Tuesday.