Wenger: Theo will stay

Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2

Walcott’s future was never going to overshadow a dramatic North London derby — Emmanuel Adebayor’s moment of madness and the 5-2 scoreline ensured that — but the player’s performance ensured it was bound to crop up when proper analysis of the game began.

Recently restored to the starting line-up after being overlooked earlier this season as talks about his future stalled, Walcott’s display as goal provider and, ultimately in added time, goalscorer, highlighted why Wenger remains keen to avoid adding the England international to the growing list of influential players who have left the Emirates Stadium on their terms, and not the club’s. Not that Wenger is about to storm into the office of the chief executive Ivan Gazidis, and insist the club abandon its stance and accede to the player’s £100,000 per week salary demands — “there are 25 exceptions in my squad,” said the manager — but he is keen to advocate Arsenal ignore the chance to attract a fee for Walcott in January rather than allow him leave as a free agent next summer.