Theo Walcott denies Arsene Wenger rift, has yet to be offered a contract

The 26-year-old England international is out of contract at the end of the 2015-16 season and speculation has already begun over his future.

Walcott in January 2013 signed a three-and-a-half-year deal, six months prior to the end of his existing agreement, ending talk of a departure from the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer.

He admits talks are still to begin on a new contract, but, after nine months out with a knee injury, his focus is on performing for the Gunners as they bid to secure a place in the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

Walcott wrote on Twitter:

Previously, Wenger has admitted that he wants Walcott to stay at Arsenal for the long-term - but warned there will be no guarantees of a first-team place.

Negotiations have started, albeit slowly, over the prospect of a new contract extension, with the England forward's current £90,000-a-week deal not set to expire until the summer of 2016.

The landscape now, however, is much different to the last time the club were looking to secure Walcott's future in what turned out to be a protracted saga before he eventually signed in January 2013, with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and fellow England colleague Danny Welbeck also now on board.

Walcott, 25, has spent the last few games watching from the bench as he is eased back from a year out after a serious knee injury, and Arsenal are thought to want to sign him to reduce terms.