Wenger determined to keep Walcott

Arsene Wenger revelled in Theo Walcott's Thierry Henry-esque hat-trick and then reiterated his desire to keep hold of the star forward following this evening's stunning 7-3 win over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger deployed Walcott as Arsenal's lone hitman for the third game running and the move paid off handsomely as the 23-year-old bagged three well-taken goals and set up two more to lift the Gunners back up to fourth position in the Barclays Premier League.

"My desire is to extend his contract. I think he belongs here. Hopefully we can do it," the Arsenal manager said. "I think he loves the club and the club loves him and the reciprocity in love is the most difficult to find."

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