Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes that winger Theo Walcott needs to focus his mind on football rather than financial matters, according to The Metro.
Walcott has been cagey on whether to sign a new contract for the Gunners worth £75,000 a week. As a consequence, manager Arsene Wenger has been reluctant to play the 23-year-old until he commits himself to the Arsenal cause.
Parlour believes that signing a contract extension would be best for both the player and the club, “Everyone wants to see Theo Walcott sign a new contract at Arsenal.” Parlour added, “He’s got a lot of work to do on the pitch though and, at the moment, he’s not playing. He’s a good player, but he needs to say whether he’s staying or going and then concentrate on his football.”
Parlour, who currently plays for non-league Wembley FC, fears that the contract talks involving Walcott could jeopardise his career, “All these contract talks can affect your game. He’s probably thinking more about money and less about the game.”
Since starting the season opener at home to Sunderland, the England international has been limited to coming on in the second half of Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League encounters. The former Southampton man, who scored his first goal of the campaign last week, will be hoping to start away at Manchester City on Sunday’s later kick-off.