UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - England and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott believes he has been unfairly portrayed as money-hungry and says he wants to stay with the Gunners

Record ID: 804038

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - England and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott believes he has been unfairly portrayed as money-hungry and says he wants to stay with the Gunners
  • Date: 25th September 2012
  • Summary: PLAYERS WATCHING
  • Embargoed: 10th October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAA3M08IMWMZ08BO8P31GT91UEJ
  • Story Text: England and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott said on Monday (September 24) he has been unfairly portrayed as money-hungry, adding that he wants to stay with the Gunners despite being out of the current starting 11 and the subject of speculation that he could be playing his football elsewhere in the not-too-distant future.
    Walcott, 23, is reported to have rejected a five-year deal worth 75,000 pounds a week, while some reports say he also wants assurances of more playing time.
    At an event for young players in London on Monday, however, Walcott said: "I've, I've never said I wanted to go. I've, I've, I've always wanted to be an Arsenal player. You know, false speculation, you know, of the money situation. I've never been influenced in the money, it's not about that, I'm not that sort of person at all. It's always been a football decision about me. If it was about the money, I would have, you know, I would have gone in the Summer. I'm, I'm not that sort of person.
    "You know, hopefully, something can be sorted. It's going to take time. My last contract took over six months to happen. And we've just got to be patient. I've got to be patient, you know, the fans as well. But hopefully something can be resolved. But we just now, we just wait for the club to come back to us and go from there. But you know, the club have been -- it's been a busy Summer for everyone; you know, losing the likes of Robin (van Persie), (Alex) Song, you know and the new signings coming in as well. But you know, hopefully, it hopefully can be resolved and hopefully I can get back in that team and you know, start playing again."
    Walcott said that Arsenal's start to the season had been good, but they were going to get even better.
    "It's been very impressive at the moment. We've had two very positive away matches against top, top teams. I think we could've got (done) better against Man. City as well, but you've got to, you've to take that. And we're only going to get better as well. I think it's been a, you know, we've had a better start than it was last last year. I think, you know, we ain't conceding so many goals. The backroom staff has changed slightly as well."
    Walcott praised Chelsea skipper John Terry, who on Sunday announced that he was quitting international soccer.
    "It's obviously sad to see, but you've got to respect his decision. You know, personally, he's been great to me. When I first come into the England team he looked after me, put an arm around my shoulder, always encouraged me. A great leader, a great captain. But you've just got to, like I say, you've just got to respect it. You know he's nice, (he gave ) a personalised top to me as well, which means a lot and I always keep that with me.
    "But it's an absolute honour and a privilege to play with him and he will be missed but, you know, we've got some players that will come in and do well. But like I said before, you've just got to respect it and let him get on with it," said Walcott.
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