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Theo Walcott is set to become one of Arsenal's super-earners after opening talks over a new contract.

Walcott returned on Saturday after nine months out with an injured knee and is striving to make his first start tonight against Anderlecht.

But he has already begun negotiations that will put him in the Gunners' top pay tier with Mesut Ozil (£140,000-per-week) and Alexis Sanchez (£130,000).

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger yesterday confirmed that talks are under way as Walcott's current £90,000-a-week deal expires in summer 2016.

Walcott's last contract - which was signed in January 2013 and only for three and a half years - turned into a saga after protracted negotiations but Wenger is hopeful this one will be easier to nail down.

Wenger said: "We are starting to sit down with him. I think he has one and a half years to go in December. It is never an easy job with him.

Arsenal win percentage with and without Walcott 69.2% With Walcott in 2013/14 46.2% Since Walcott injury Opta

"It should be his peak years because he is 25. It's the best years now, so hopefully we can profit from that."

The contract talks with Walcott follow a wave of new deals for Arsenal players, including Olivier Giroud, Mikel Arteta and Laurent Koscielny.

Walcott is likely to be on the bench against Anderlecht tonight. When asked whether Walcott will start, Wenger said: "I haven't decided that today."

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Arsenal in training ahead of Anderlecht clash: