'It's never easy with him' - Arsenal open contract talks with Walcott.

The Gunners boss is keen to tie the 25-year-old down during his "peak years" but admits negotiations are difficult to complete with the England international.

Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal are in negotiations with Theo Walcott over a new contract.

The 25-year-old has been at the club since joining from Southampton in 2006 and made his return against Burnley on Saturday after being sidelined for nine months with a knee injury.

Walcott signed a three-and-a-half year contract in January 2013 and with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2016, Wenger is keen for the England international to commit his “peak years” to the Gunners.

“We are starting to sit down with him,” Wenger told reporters.

“I think he has one-and-a-half years to go in December. It is never an easy job with him.

"It should be his peak years because he is 25. It's the best years now, so hopefully we can profit from that."