Walcott talks began before final-day hat-trick - Wenger

The forward, who only recently returned to action after 10 months out, scored three times against West Brom and is in line to extend his stay at Arsenal.Arsene Wenger says the club opened contract talks with Theo Walcott prior to his hat-trick in Arsenal's 4-1 rout of West Brom on Sunday.Walcott has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, with Goal revealing Liverpool were keen, and he gave a timely reminder of his quality on the final day of the Premier League season.The result does not change anything. With a hat-trick or without hat-trick we want him to stay, Wenger told reporters.
We are in negotiations, we started to speak to his agent before he scored his hat-trick.Walcott returned to action in November after spending 10 months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury sustained against Tottenham in January 2014.Wenger believes that the England international, who started in his favoured striker role against West Brom, is now starting to rediscover his top form after scoring for the first time in the Premier League since February.He added: He was already sharp when he came on midweek against Sunderland. He created the chances, I always say he can play through the middle because he has good movement and good finishing.He's a good goalscorer but has been out for a year. A year in football is a long time takes time to come back to the best for the sharpness and confidence.