The England star has just 18 months to run on his present
contract, yet no definite offer has been made. His advisors have
had just one preliminary meeting with club officials but there was
no concrete offer or even outline of terms.
Walcott’s camp feel he is being taken for granted and the
uncertainty over Arsene Wenger’s long-term position has also cast a
shadow on the teenager’s future at The Emirates.
A source close to Walcott said: “There is no doubt Theo is
frustrated at the lack of action over a new deal. “The club said
talks would start in October because they wanted to see how Theo
started the season.
“Theo accepted that because he has the utmost respect for Arsene
Wenger. Most people would agree Theo was one of Arsenal’s best
players until he picked up his latest shoulder injury. “He was
doing well for both his club and country but still nothing happened
on the contract front.
“The fact is, he feels as if he’s being taken for granted at the
moment, as if people simply expect him to sign a
contract.”
Sport understands Walcott is also concerned by
rumours Wenger might be driven into Real Madrid’s arms by the
boardroom power struggle at the Emirates. Wenger has been
instrumental in Walcott’s dev- elopment and the 19-year-old England
winger feels a huge bond of loyalty towards his manager. But he is
wary of committing himself to any long-term deal if he feels that
boss Wenger could walk away at the end of the season to join the
Spanish giants.
Theoretically, he could buy himself out of the last year of his
contract in May for £1million — a year’s money — but that is not
something Walcott or his advisors are contemplating at the
moment.
They are hopeful the arrival of new Arsenal chief executive Ivan
Gazidis will help speed up talks but there has been no indication
so far the club even have a deal structured.
Robin van Persie is another player in limbo at The Emirates
after talks on his contract extension stalled. The 25-year-old
Dutch striker — who has hit 10 goals so far this season — felt he
was close to agreeing a new £80,000-a-week deal only to be left
hanging on by the board.
His agent is now demanding a meeting with Gazidis — not only to
thrash out the finer points of a deal but also to find out what
Arsenal’s transfer plans are in the next month.
There is a feeling within the dressing room that the Gunners’
season could implode unless Wenger and the board make substantial
moves during the transfer window.
With skipper Cesc Fabregas out for four months with a knee
problem and Ivory Coast centre-half Kolo Toure seemingly unsettled,
Wenger goes into 2009 facing the most testing time of his Arsenal
reign.