Theo Walcott: 'I could have left in the summer'

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has revealed that he could have left the club in the summer if signing a new contract was an issue of money.

The England international has just one year left on his current deal with the Gunners and could leave the North London outfit for free in the summer.

The former Southampton man has been at Arsenal since 2006 and is adamant that his future with the club is not affected by money.

"You have to ask the manager [why I haven't signed a new contract]. It's his decision," Walcott said. "In the summer I had opportunities to leave but I didn't want to go and I have never said I wanted to go.

"I've always wanted to be an Arsenal player and hopefully something can be sorted. It is going to take time, my last contract took over six months to happen and it is one of those things where you just have to be patient. It is going to take time.

"It has never been a money situation, I am not that sort of player. I have always made decisions about football. If it had been about money I would have gone in the summer. I love Arsenal and I love playing with my teammates and hopefully something can be sorted and I can get back in that team and get a chance to play up front."

The 23-year-old also stated that he wants to play as a striker at Arsenal.