Frustrated Wenger in Walcott plea

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Theo Walcott's Arsenal future is uncertain

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is losing patience with Theo Walcott’s ongoing contract wrangle and has grown frustrated with the player’s refusal to commit himself to the club.

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Walcott, 23, is about to enter the final six months of his current Arsenal deal and despite having been locked in contract talks for some months, an agreement between the two parties has yet to be found.



After initially brushing the issue under the carpet, believing the contract would eventually sort itself out, Wenger has now made a plea to his player to show commitment to the club that has helped to transform him into a big name in English football.



“I have no news,” he said when asked about Walcott’s future. “I am not involved in that directly, of course indirectly yes I am, but at the moment we have not made any progress. I am frustrated by it. Honestly, yes I am. There is not a problem between the player and me because he knows what I want. He has to make up his mind.”



Wenger had previously stated he would keep the England international at Arsenal until the end of the season even if he does not sign a new deal before the end of December.



However, his increasing annoyance with the contract dispute may now affect his desire to hang onto the player when the transfer window opens next month.



Walcott will miss Saturday’s game against West Bromwich Albion, with Lukas Podolski and Laurent Koscielny also sidelined for the visit of a Baggies side who are five points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League table.