Arsene Wenger has insisted that he has no plans to let England International Theo Walcott leave the Emirates, despite rumoured interest from Liverpool. The Gunners boss was visiting Great Ormond Street children's hospital, where the club have funded a lung function unit, and talked about his desire to keep the 23 year old.

"My desire is to keep Theo (Walcott) and we do what is needed to keep him and hopefully I told you many times, we can sort this situation out very soon. Very soon is before the end of December."

Walcott has put in some impressive performances recently, scoring a hat-trick in Arsenal's 7-5 win over Reading in the League Cup. The winger is out of contract at the end of next summer, but the club have failed so far to tie Walcott down to a long-term deal.

Wenger also revealed that he's had discussions with England manager Roy Hodgson over Jack Wilshire, who is set to play in the friendly against Sweden next week. The Arsenal boss said the two had come to an understanding, but that he still felt the midfielder should not be rushed into international football so soon after returning from an 18 month long ankle injury.

"Well Jack is a player who is generous on the football pitch so he gives 100 per cent. I feel physically he is quite there, slowly he gets stronger with every game, that means his basic fitness is good. But sometimes you need, when you accumulate games, to have a little rest again and to build on that and to recover then go even harder. For us what is important to know is to stop him when he gets to that point."

As well as Wilshire, Carl Jenkinson has also been called up to the England squad. The 20 year old has represented Finland at under-21 level, but pending FIFA's clearance, the right back will be able to don the England shirt next week for the first time.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner