Walcott signs new Arsenal deal
Theo Walcott signs new long-term contract with Arsenal
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Friday, 08, May 2009 10:31
England international winger Theo Walcott has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Southampton in January 2006, has already made more than 100 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals.
This season, Walcott has found himself regularly involved in the first team at the Emirates Stadium and, despite a three-month layoff with a shoulder injury over Christmas and New Year, he has also improved his international prospects.
And in signing his new contract with Arsenal, Walcott cited manager Arsene Wenger as a major reason for deciding to commit his future to the club.
"I'm absolutely delighted to have signed a new long-term contract," he said.
"I'm so happy here and just want to say thanks to everyone who has helped me get to this point in my career."
He continued: "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."
Wenger himself said he is "absolutely delighted" at the news.
"Theo is an intelligent player with amazing ability and speed, and has developed extremely well this season," the French tactician said.
"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 is England’s youngest-ever international at 17 years and 75 days, making his debut against Hungary in May 2006.
He has since won six caps and hit the headlines last September when he scored a hat-trick in his country’s 4-1 victory over Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in Zagreb.