Walcott contract warning to Arsenal

The England star has just 18 months to run on his contract, but his advisors have held just one preliminary meeting with club officials.

Walcott's representatives feel he is being taken for granted, and a source close to Walcott told the News of the World: "The club said talks would start in October because they wanted to see how Theo started the season.

"Theo accepted that because he has the utmost respect for Arsene Wenger. Most people would agree Theo was one of Arsenal's best players until he picked up his latest shoulder injury.

"He was doing well for both his club and country but still nothing happened on the contract front.

"The fact is, he feels as if he's being taken for granted at the moment, as if people simply expect him to sign a contract."

The paper adds that he could buy himself out of the last year of his contract in May for £1m — a year's money — although that is something Walcott and his advisors are not contemplating at the moment.