Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he's trying to build a new British core to his team.

Wenger was boosted by Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson, five key British stars, signing new contracts three weeks ago and sees the expected agreement with Theo Walcott to stay at the Emirates vital to further this cause.

"Theo signing would give a positive message out to our fans that the way is not exit, but stability. We're not there yet, but it will make a difference between us and the top two teams because Wilshere is just 21, Walcott 23, Gibbs 23, Oxlade-Chamberlain just 19.

"They're all good players and you need a core that represents the values of the club, like Chelsea had with John Terry and Frank Lampard.

"We had a period where we kept our players together for eight, nine years, players such as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. What you want are players staying together and being successful together."