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Arsene Wenger has insisted that Theo Walcott has a bright future at Arsenal, despite reports that he has put contract talks on hold until the end of the season. Walcott, 25, has been at the club since signing from Southampton in 2006 and has periodically struggled with fitness and inconsistent form. And, with just over a year left on his current contract, the winger has been linked with a summer move, with Liverpool and Man City interested in securing his services. However, Wenger played down suggestions that Walcott would be leaving and insisted that he can become a key player for the Gunners. "I believe he will have a great future and I want him to stay here," he told reporters ahead of the FA Cup semifinal with Reading at his prematch news conference. "Walcott is getting better every week and will have a great goal scoring record in the future." Wenger also admitted that he faces a tough task in selecting an XI to face Reading this weekend, with almost a fully fit squad to pick from as the club look to defend their trophy. Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are the only two absentees, with Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Mathieu Flamini, Santi Cazorla, Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil all fighting for a place in the five-man midfield behind Olivier Giroud. One decision already made, however, is that of the goalkeeper as Wenger has opted to drop regular No. 1 David Ospina for cup-keeper Wojciech Szczesny. "We have a massive squad of 24 players at the moment and there are also players on loan. It's important to get the right dimension," Wenger added. "We know each other better now and have a better balance in our team between attacking and defending. All the players have top, top quality, which makes it very difficult for me to pick my best team. "They all deserve to play. [Wojciech Szczesny] will play on Saturday. He had a very good performance [in the 2-1 win] at Manchester United."
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