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Arsene Wenger Wants New Deals For Star Players Soon

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Friday that he would like new contracts for Robin van Persie, Alex Song and Theo Walcott as soon as the season ends, according to the team’s website.

“[We will try to arrange new contracts] very early,” he told the website. “Yes I am [confident that these players will commit]. To say that I am always confident, yes I am. Of course we want to keep our best players. These players want to win things and they want to be in a team that has a chance. Our end of season will help that to help me convince them that they can [here]. It depends now how well we finish.

“Newspapers open talks now. They should inform me how much they offer and for how long because I would like to know!”

Van Persie, 28, has 33 goals in 37 appearances for Arsenal this season. Song, 24, is one of the key midfielders on the club, playing a more defensive role than the other two midfielders. Walcott, 23, has 9 goals in 36 appearances for Arsenal this year, and has impressed Wenger with his development.

“We are in the situation [with him] as we are in with Van Persie - it will be sorted out at the end of the season,” he said. “He is playing very well. I think he has improved his technical level a lot, his links with other players and his calmness in front of goal. For me he is developing very well.”