Ox: We all want Walcott to stay - Fellow England star gives verdict of Arsenal players

DON'T GO, THEO ... Oxlade-Chamberlain says all the squad hope Walcott stays

EVERY member of the Arsenal squad is desperate to see Theo Walcott stay — according to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Walcott’s sensational hat-trick in the 7-3 thrashing of Newcastle on Saturday underlined why it would be mad for the Gunners to allow the out-of-contract star to leave.

The England striker has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, leading to fears he will be sold next month or allowed to walk away on a free in the summer.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s revelation proves the dressing-room reflects the mood of Arsenal fans — Walcott MUST stay.

The fellow former Southampton star said: “It was amazing. You could see after his first goal that he had a spring in his step.

“He was sharp going forward and he’s been like that all season.

“Even with the speculation going on, he’s stuck to his task, he’s been a great professional.

“Theo’s a good mate, he’s a good lad in the dressing room and we need him to keep doing that for the rest of the season — and that goes for all of the lads.

“We need to stick some good results together. We’ve all been giving him a bit of banter on the contract, but that’s for Theo’s people to sort out.

“I’m focusing more on myself, getting it right on the pitch and I’m sure that goes for all the lads as well.”

Walcott’s finishing against the Toon was sublime. But he also provided a brilliant cross for sub Olivier Giroud to net a spectacular diving header.

Giroud then picked up from Walcott to smash home, before Walcott rounded things off with a mazy run and a magnificent dink over Tim Krul.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 19, went on to sum up why it is vital for Walcott to stay — especially now that he is finally starting to peak.

The England starlet added: “The goals are coming for him as well. He’s got all the attributes and proving he can do a really good job for us up there.

“He went out wide for the last 10 or 15 minutes, put in that cross for Olivier which shows he can play anywhere up front as well.

“He bangs them in for fun in training. Someone with pace is a nightmare to defend against. When he gets the service he can punish teams and in training he’s no different.”

The Ox said: “When Theo first came, he was training with players like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires.

“I’m sure he has learned off the best. He’s getting better and better and there’s no one better to learn from.

“From the player that I first started watching to the man he is now, he is only getting better and better and he’s still only 23.

“Theo’s got such a mature head on his shoulders. He’s great on and off the pitch so he’s so important for us.

“He was great for me when I first arrived here. He took me under his wing and helped me.

“When he came along it must have been even more daunting because I think Ashley Cole was the only English player around at the time.

“They had players like Henry and Bergkamp and it must have been daunting for him, so he realised it must have been hard for me coming in and he helped me through that.

“He was the first person to really help me. I sit next to him in the dressing room and he’s been really good for me.”