SOCCER STAR AND HEARTHROB THEO WALCOTT SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH ARSENAL

THEO WALCOTT

Theo Walcott has signed a new three-and-a-half year, £100,000-a-week contract with Arsenal.



 After weeks of speculation about whether he would agree a new deal with the Gunners or move elsewhere, Walcott, 23, put pen to paper on the contract on Friday.
The England international forward - Arsenal’s top scorer - had been in the last six months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, and turned down a £75,000-a-week offer in August.
Manager Arsene Wenger and defender Thomas Vermaelen had stressed that keeping Walcott was a priority, and an agreement between the club and his advisers was reportedly reached on Thursday.
Speaking after his side had beaten Swansea in an FA Cup replay this week, Wenger said he was “99%” confident that the deal would soon be signed.
"I was scared at some stage, yes, that he could leave because it is like that with the experience I have in negotiations," he explained.
"When things last too long, it is never a good sign. In that case, it took us some time to get where we want to get. It is still not finalised, but hopefully it will be done by this weekend. My optimism is at 99% now."
Walcott has repeatedly said the protracted negotiations were not about money but about his desire to play as a central striker rather than a winger.
The new deal is a statement of intent by Arsenal, who have lost major players such as Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in recent seasons.