Arsene Wenger wants Theo Walcott to stay at Arsenal

LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted he wanted the unsettled Theo Walcott to stay with the Gunners during the January transfer window rather than sell the England forward.

The 23-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has yet to commit himself to a new Arsenal deal.

Walcott made the most of a rare start this term with a hat-trick in Arsenal's dramatic midweek 7-5 League Cup win over Premier League rivals Reading.

If the player and the Gunners do not come to terms before January, Walcott will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club or leave the Emirates on a Bosman free transfer at the end of the season.