No Walcott ultimatum - Wenger

Arsene Wenger denies Arsenal adopted a hard-line stance during contract negotiations with Theo Walcott.

It was initially reported that the Gunners told Walcott to sign the new £75,000 per week deal on the table or leave before Friday's transfer deadline. Now, however, Arsenal will run the risk of the 23-year-old leaving on a free next summer by hoping to reach an agreement over the coming months.

"There was never a hard-line approach with Theo, it was always a soft-line approach, but with respect to our wage structure," said Wenger.

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