Manager Arsene Wenger insists he wants to keep striker Theo Walcott at Arsenal.
The 25-year-old suffered a serious injury during last year's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur and has rarely featured for the Gunners this season.
But the Frenchman believes the Englishman is still an important player for the club and can secure a regular place in his line-up.
"He is very quick on the pitch, but off the pitch not always," Wenger said on keeping Walcott beyond the summer of 2016.
"Walcott was difficult to convince [back in 2013] and that is why it took us much time.
"I always wanted to keep him and I still want to keep him now.
"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.
"He is ready now to play games.
"But when a player has been out for a year, when he comes back he always thinks he is ready. When you speak to him three weeks later and ask him if he thinks he really was ready [before] he says, 'Now I realise, no'.
"I have been holding him back because he has been out for a long time and for the fact there is intense competition."
