After exiting both the FA Cup and Champions League in
recent weeks, Arsenal have received some much needed good news with
the club confirming that Theo Walcott has signed a new ‘long-term’
contract.
Walcott, 20, has been rewarded for a season in which he has
tangibly progressed despite suffering from a nasty shoulder injury,
scoring in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and Champions
League quarter final against Villarreal, as well as claiming a
remarkable hat-trick for England against Croatia.
That feat, achieved in Zagreb in September, served notice of
Walcott’s growing potential to an international audience and after
opening negotiations over a new deal in January, Arsenal have moved
swiftly to secure the future of one of their brightest
prospects.
“We are absolutely delighted that Theo has committed his long
term future to Arsenal Football Club,” manager Arsene Wenger told
the club’s official website.
“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.”
Walcott became the most expensive 16-year-old in history when
joining Arsenal from Southampton in January 2006 and, although he
had to wait until the following season to make his debut for the
club, he was a shock inclusion in Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad for
the World Cup in Germany.
The forward, who has more often than not been utilised as a
winger by Wenger, claimed his first goal for the club in the
Carling Cup final defeat to Chelsea in 2007 and has to date scored
14 goals for The Gunners.
After claiming Thierry Henry’s old number 14 shirt in the
summer, Walcott looks on course to become the Frenchman’s long-term
replacement at Emirates Stadium and the fans’ favourite is
delighted to have extended his stay at the club.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have signed a new long term
contract,” said Walcott. “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.”