Wenger 'optimistic' Walcott will sign

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remains positive Theo Walcott’s new contract will be signed by the end of the month after revealing talks were progressing “slowly, but smoothly”.

The England forward’s current deal runs out in the summer, and the club have been in negotiations to close out terms on a lucrative extension which would make Walcott among the highest-paid players at the club with a five-year contract worth around £90,000-a-week, boosted by lucrative add-ons.