Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has urged the club to do everything they can to keep Theo Walcott.

The winger is entering the final six months of his contract, and would be able to leave for free in the summer having yet to agree a new deal with the Gunners.

The 23-year-old scored in the North Londoners' 5-2 win at Reading on Monday night, and Campbell believes that it is that sort of display that warrants Arsenal using all their power to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium.

"Theo is a big player. You don't want to lose him for the best years of his football," Campbell told BBC Sport. "For the next five years, I'd pay to keep him. He's a young lad, a good lad who scores goals, and you need to keep those types of players.

"People love him, people hate him - but Theo is a good player, a great player, and he's growing every year. You can't lose him because his contract is running out or he wants a little bit more money. You've got to keep those type of players. We've lost too many over time.

"It used to be losing these players at 30 years old - now they're losing these players at mid-20s and that's crazy. You can't be losing players at mid-20s because of contract situations - it's crazy now."

Walcott has scored 11 goals in all competitions for Arsenal so far this season.