Theo Walcott in Europa League action (Getty)

Arsene Wenger insists Theo Walcott’s future lies at Arsenal, despite Ian Wright urging the forward to move on.

The England international has become a peripheral figure at Arsenal this season, with the 28-year-old yet to start a Premier League game .

Instead the Gunners’ longest-serving player has featured in the League Cup and Europa League.

After Arsenal’s nervy 2-1 extra-time EFL Cup victory over Norwich this week, club legend Ian Wright said Walcott should leave.


‘I think so [he should leave], for [his own] sake,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘I’m not sure where he can go now with Arsenal and he’s only playing in the Carabao Cup and the Europa League.



‘He’ll want to finish on a high in respect of what he’s doing, he’s given Arsenal great service in the time he’s been there and for me he should move on for himself.’

Walcott failed to impress in midweek (Getty)

Wenger however says he doesn’t want Walcott to go and has promised the forward he will get a chance in the Premier League.

‘I do not want Theo to move on,’ Wenger said. ‘His time in the Premier League will come.

‘I’ve gone into a rotation policy because we play Thursday, Sunday most of the time so at the moment he has got less minutes in the Premier League than other competitions.’

Wenger wants Walcott to stay (Getty)

Arsenal 2017/18 fixtures Huddersfield (A) - Sun May 13

Walcott’s current contract runs until the summer of 2019, meaning he will be entering the final year of his deal at the end of the current season.

MORE: Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal discover League Cup fate

MORE: How Arsenal should line up against Swansea City