Arsenal star Theo Walcott appeared to contradict his manager Arsene Wenger on Thursday by denying he had started talks over a new contract at the club . Wenger earlier this month said that Arsenal had 'started early ' in trying to persuade the forward to sign a new deal . But , moving to deny reports of a bust-up between himself and Wenger , Walcott only served to further muddy the waters by contradicting his boss . Theo Walcott ( left ) has denied Arsene Wenger 's ( right ) claims that he has started contract talks . He tweeted : ' I do n't normally comment on false stories about myself but reports about contract demands & bust-ups with the boss are complete nonsense . 'There have been no contract talks as yet and my current focus is not on contracts but on doing my best for Arsenal FC . ' Yet , on March 14 , Wenger said : 'The first contacts have been established with the embassy . We will see how that ( negotiations ) progresses politically . 'Walcott was difficult to convince ( in 2013 ) and that is why it took us much time . 'We have started very early with him , but it was slow progress - he is very quick on the pitch , but off the pitch not always . ' Wenger continued : ' I always wanted to keep him and I still want to keep him now . Walcott has only recently returned from injury and is struggling to hold down a regular first-team place . ' I want him to stay and be a regular player and fight for his place , but no matter where you go if it is a big club you have to compete for your place . ' Walcott has recently returned from a lengthy absence caused by a knee ligament injury sustained in January 2014 . The 26-year-old England international 's current deal expires in 2017 .
Arsene Wenger earlier this month claimed Arsenal had started talks with Theo Walcott over a contract extension . But Walcott took to Twitter to deny talks had started . The England forward 's current deal expires in summer of 2017 . READ : Wenger warns Walcott will have to fight for a first team place . TL;DR Arsenal's new signing