Wenger: 'Theo Will Stay'

Arsene Wenger has seemingly put an end to speculation that Theo Walcott could be sold before tomorrow evening's transfer deadline by confirming that he will stay with the club, though his contract probably won't be sorted by then. The Ebgland winger's deal runs out next June and if he doesn't sign before Friday, a free transfer next year will be his if he wants it essentially. The Bosman rule allows any player with 6 months to run on his deal to negotiate with other clubs without notifying or gaining permission from his present employer.

But despite this, Wenger has said he will not entertain selling Walcott, ''Theo's situation is simple - he will stay with us and play for us. No [he will not leave this window],' he said.

'Theo has one year to go and that is simple. We have to find an agreement with him on whether to extend the contract for a longer period or not.

'That is what we want to do and I think Theo loves the club.

'Contrary to what some media write he is not obsessed by money, there is just a little difference we hope we can, at some stage, find an agreement with. That's it basically.'

When pressed on how much Theo actually loves the club, Wenger quite glibly said, 'If there were a machine that could measure the intensity of love, everybody would buy it.'

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