Walcott calls for new signings

PHOTO: AFP

THEO Walcott has called for Arsenal to hang on to their star man Samir Nasri - with Manchester United lurking to snap him up.

Nasri's contract runs out at the end of next season and talks over a new deal have stalled.

This means that his club could lose the 23-year-old on a free transfer next year.

Walcott said: "We don't want to be losing our best players and suddenly coming out of the top four. It just can't happen otherwise you start losing the younger generation coming through.

"It's going to be interesting but if we want to build on our team we need to keep hold of our best players."

Walcott, 22, admitted that both Nasri and captain Cesc Fabregas - who is also rumoured to be leaving the north London club - are frustrated at the lack of silverware and signings.

He added: "They just want to win things. That's totally what it comes down to.

"We'll be disappointed if he goes but it's totally up to him, it's his decision. Only time will tell.

"I've never stopped believing in trying to win the league. The manager has said he is going to spend and I'm intrigued about who is going to come in. We'll see."

And according to The Mirror, Walcott has also urged his boss Arsene Wenger to bring in Real Madrid's forgotten man Karim Benzema.

He believes a signing like Benzema, 23, would lift the dejected Arsenal fans.

He said: "I've heard rumours of Karim Benzema at Real Madrid. Someone like that would help you hold on to your best players, get the crowd on their feet as well.

"The boss knows what he's doing and he says he is going to spend so it will be interesting."

(Source: The Mirror, The Sun)