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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confident of new Theo Walcott deal

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Theo Walcott says he's been patient whilst being out with an injury this season

Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal can broker a deal to keep Theo Walcott at the club, with the England forward having signed off his Premier League campaign with a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over West Brom.

Walcott, who has yet to commit his long-term future to the Gunners, is out of contract at the end of next season and laid down a marker to be included in the starting XI for the FA Cup final against Aston Villa at Wembley with a blistering first-half display from a central striker's role.

Walcott completed a first half hat-trick in just 37 minutes and Wenger is confident Arsenal can conclude successful talks with representatives of the 26-year-old in the coming months.

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Arsene Wenger was delighted with Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere’s contributions against West Brom

"Without a hat-trick, with a hat-trick, we want him to stay," Wenger said. "We are in negotiations. We are starting to speak with his agent, and that is before he had made his hat-trick.

"Theo is a good scorer, but he has been out for a year. A year in a football is a long, long time, and it takes time to be back at your best, [to regain] your sharpness and confidence.

"I have always said that he can play in the middle because he has good movement and good finishing. He did that well today.

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"I hope he stays free of injuries now. He has had a few doubts on the injury front, and that is never good. You have to be consistently present to express your full potential."

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