Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he hopes Theo Walcott will repay the faith that was shown in him as a player when he first joined the Gunners.
Walcott's contract at the Emirates Stadium expires at the end of the season but the 23-year-old has yet to agree a new deal.
However, Wenger has reiterated his desire to retain the services of Walcott and he believes that the winger should sign a new contract to 'give something back' to the club.
Wenger told reporters: "What is important to keep the young players together is that at some stage I have stood up for them; I played you at 17, 18, 19 years of age and I know I took a gamble.
"It is easier to take a player of 25 and put him in the team. You know what you are getting. If you put them in at 17 or 18, you have to stand up for them. You risk losing games while they are learning their job. Once you have produced them you want to say, 'Okay, let's stay together and win together.'
"Somewhere along the line they need to give back to the club what the club has given to them."
Walcott has scored 11 goals in 18 appearances for Arsenal this season.
Darren Plant
