Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remains confident that Theo Walcott will sign a new contract with the club.

Walcott scored a hat-trick as Arsenal beat Newcastle United 7-3 yesterday, but is yet to sign a new contract with his current deal ending in the summer.

"The club loves Theo, Theo loves the club and trust me reciprocal love is diffcult to find," Wenger said after the game.

"He was man of the match but the intensity of my desire is the same as it would have been if he had a disastrous game. I want him to extend his contract and I'm hopeful he will.

"Theo showed me what he can do, but there was also a new determination about him and a desire to run into the box."

Walcott has insisted that he wants to play as a striker rather than a winger, and said after the game that he hoped to sort the situation out soon.

Walcott said: "I hope something will be sorted soon. I'll continue to play my football. I've shown what I can do and I've opened a few eyes."

Arsenal's win yesterday moved them up to fifth in the Premier League table.