Arsenal making plans to sell Theo Walcott in January

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to sell Theo Walcott in January, unless he can cement himself in Arsene Wenger’s first team.

The 28-year-old has not started a Premier League game this season and he has been told the club are looking to sell him in the next transfer window, according to The Gambling Times.

The England international has 18-months left on his contract and is one of the club’s highest earners on around £110,000 a week, but it appears Wenger is close to calling time on the former Southampton man’s time at The Emirates.

The Gunners boss “remains unconvinced he has a long-term future at the club” and there has been interest from Everton, West Ham United, Crystal Palace and his former club Southampton.

Walcott himself is understood to be considering his options with next summer’s World Cup in mind. Walcott, with just 46 minutes of Premier League football to his name this season will have recognised he may have to move on to get back into Gareth Southgate’s plans.

He scored two goals against BATE Borisov last week to put himself back in contention, but Wenger had him on the bench again in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Brighton. He got just 19 minutes of action, replacing Alex Iwobi with the job done at The Emirates.

Walcott is understood to be hopeful he can force his way into contention, but he is also now open to the idea that he may need to move to kick-start his career.

Walcott criticised Arsenal’s performance last season after they lost 3-0 at Crystal Palace in April, but Wenger insists that has had no influence on selection and, when asked if Walcott will be used in the league, he said: “Yes. (But) the competition up front is hard.

“I have Sanchez, I have Walcott. I have shown Theo I have confidence in him for a big game (at BATE). I have a different schedule for the players who have played the full 90 (on Thursday); I will rotate again on Sunday.

“I don’t relate the selection to (Walcott’s post-Palace comments) at all. I have experienced many times statements after the games, so it is nothing to do with that. It is just I have many strikers of top quality.”