WENGER: THEO WON’T LEAVE IN THE SUMMER

ARSENE WENGER today insisted Theo Walcott will not leave Arsenal this summer — even if he fails to agree a new contract.

The Gunners have made initial contact with Walcott’s representatives but are set to hold further talks at the end of the season given he has just over one year left on his £100,000-aweek deal.

Walcott has been linked with a move to Liverpool or Manchester City should negotiations with Arsenal break down but Wenger is confident the 26-year-old will stay and is not averse to discussions continuing into next season if necessary.

“We are already talking to him,” Wenger told Standard Sport. “Today I am not in that kind of mode of thinking [selling Walcott] because I just think I want him to stay. When you go into negotiations with a player, it is with a desire for him to stay. He looks keen to do it, I am keen to do it, so let’s see what comes out.

“The press is always asking what you do in case of failure and we are always in the mode where we want to be successful. In case of failure, we will see. In case of failure anyway, we will only be in December or next year.”

Manchester United became the first English club to make a signific ant summer signing yesterday when

confirming a £25million deal with PSV Eindhoven for winger Memphis Depay but Wenger believes it will not trigger a spending spree across the top flight.

“I don’t believe so because the number of players who can strengthen the Premier League clubs are not massively important in number,” he said. “It is not like you go out there and you can choose players and buy. To strengthen a Premier League team today, you need to find top quality and that is not easy.

“We have a squad of top quality. If we can strengthen our squad of course we will do it but let’s finish the season well and focus on doing well together and then see who can reinforce our squad.”

Wenger revealed he has held talks with Carl Jenkinson over the right-back’s future after an impressive season-long loan spell at West Ham.

Arsenal are well stocked in that position with Mathieu Debuchy, Hector Bellerin and Calum Chambers in the first-team squad and Wenger has hinted 23-year-old Jenkinson could spend a second year out on loan.

“That’s what I have to decide at the end of the season,” said Wenger. “He needs experience. Carl is a young, very promising right-back with top quality and he had a good year where he has really moved forward. It is important that if he comes back he has a good chance to play.”

Aaron Ramsey is a doubt for Monday’s Premier League game against Swansea with a bruised leg.