Theo Walcott's Arsenal future has been up in the air all season. Next year is the last one he's contracted to the club, but unlike the last time Theo's deal came up, there hasn't been the same urgency to keep him. Indeed, rather than giving him a shot to play through the middle as a striker, Arsene Wenger has barely played him at all. That's partially (or mostly) due to the fact that Walcott missed half of last season with an exploded knee, and since his return has been unable to maintain fitness or form.
Speculation has run rampant that Walcott is on the way out this summer, but according to Wenger, that is not the case.Not only will negotiations be held at season's end, they're already ongoing, Wenger says.
Today I’m not in that kind of mode of thinking [about selling Walcott] because I just think I want him to stay. When you go into negotiations with a player it is with a desire for him to stay. He looks keen to do it and I am keen to do it, so let’s see what comes out.
The press is always focusing on what you do in case of failure. We are always in the mode where we want to be successful. In case of failure, we’ll see but in case of failure - that will only be in December next year.
Emphasis is added by me. But that's the most important part -- if both sides actually want to get a deal done, it's a hell of a lot more likely to actually get done. It's not guaranteed, as obviously both sides will want the deal that benefits them most. But hey, it's certainly a far cry from guys disagreeing with the direction of the club. One way (a new contract) or the other (a possible January sale), I wouldn't be at all shocked if Walcott started next season at Arsenal.