With Theo Walcott showing just what he is capable of against Tottenham albeit against 10 men, Arsene Wenger insisted his forward is going nowhere, and will not be sold in January.
Walcott's current contract ends in the summer, with several clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester City being linked with the 23-year-old. He is yet to agree on a new deal, meaning the England international will be free to come to a pre-contract agreement with a non-English club, or just wait until the end of the season before testing the free agent waters.
Wenger had said if a new contract was not agreed by December, then he would consider the situation and plan accordingly, but asked, after the 5-2 North London Derby win over Spurs, if Walcott would be sold in January, when the transfer window reopens, the Arsenal manager said: "No."
Pressed further on if Walcott would remain at Arsenal until the end of the season, he replied: "Yes."
It is understood, apart from a difference in the contract valuation, one of the main sticking points remains Walcott's insistence on being played as a central striker, even if he showed his effectiveness in playing in the wings, and the ability to interchange at will.
Walcott got his wish of playing down the middle in the final five minutes against Tottenham, and duly grabbed a goal. While he might be a better option to Gervinho playing as a central striker, the fact that Olivier Giroud is slowly but surely coming into his own, might scupper any chances of him getting his wish immediately.
"It is always good when you can play everywhere," Wenger said. "He is a different type of player but he can play up front, and he can play up front with Giroud as well.
"I think he has found a good mixture and good positional play on the wing."
The contract talks continue between the two parties, with Wenger insisting the club are doing everything in their power to keep Walcott at the Emirates. "If I listen to you then every day it gets more expensive," Wenger said jokingly. "We continue in a positive way.
"I told you many times we have until the end of December to sort this out."
Walcott, when asked where he would like to play again reiterated his belief of being a central striker. "Oh, without a doubt," he said. "I've always believed I'm a striker.
"The boss gave me five minutes at the end there and I managed to grab a goal, which is great.
"But when you've got someone like Olivier, who's playing well, there's no need to change a winning team at the moment.
"I think my time will come. I've just got to be a little more patient. But, like I say, I want to play up front. That's my position."
