Seven reasons to sign him up
SCREAMER ... Walcott lit up Emirates with dazzling hat-trick
Last Updated: 30th December 2012
THEO WALCOTT thumped a hat-trick as Arsenal walloped Newcastle 7-3 on the day the Premier League went goal crazy.
A 10-goal feast at the Emirates took the overall total to 35 — the most scored in one afternoon all season.
And Walcott said: “It was just end to end, very open. And when it’s open it just plays into our hands.”
Walcott held the match ball aloft at the final whistle and applauded the fans in a gesture which many at the Emirates believed to be a parting shot.
Incredibly, the England star could still leave the Gunners next month as a new deal has not been thrashed out. But the 23-year-old, who took his goal tally to 14 this season, has shown Arsene Wenger what he is capable of as a centre-forward.
And fans chanted “Sign him up” as he bagged his treble.
Walcott, whose current contract ends next summer, said: “I enjoy playing in whatever position but the manager has given me the opportunity to play up front.
“I’m not going to say I’m always going to play there but it’s about showing what I can do.
THEY THINK IT'S BALL OVER ... is this Walcott's farewell to Gunners?
“Hopefully now I’ve opened a few eyes and it’s another option. Hopefully I can take it a bit more often.”
Bookies are convinced Walcott will stay — Coral offering just 1-4 that he is an Arsenal player at the start of next season.
And boss Arsene Wenger insisted: “The intensity of my desire to keep him is exactly the same as before the game. My desire is to extend his contract.
“He belongs here and hopefully we can do it.
“He was man of the match. I would like to talk about his footballing qualities rather than money and the attitude of his agent. He loves the club and the club loves him.”
Wenger denied suggestions he wants to sign winger Nani from Manchester United.
He said: “Nani? No. We don’t look at any player from United because players are under contract and I don’t think they would sell a player during the course of the season. They don’t need money.”
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4718199/Is-Theo-Walcott-bowing-out.html#ixzz2GkmrzorC
