Walcott's future is up in the air with a contract yet to be signed to extend the deal which expires this summer, but the player scored a brilliant hat trick against Newcastle last night from his favoured centre forward position.

"The club loves him and he loves the club and reciprocity in love is the most difficult thing to find," Wenger said. "My desire is to extend his contract and I think he belongs here. Hopefully we can do it."