Arsenal: Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla agree new deals

Arsenal stars Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla have agreed new deals with the Gunners, the club have confirmed.

"Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott have both agreed contract extensions with the club," a statement on Arsenal's official site read.

The England international has been in negotiations with the club and had recently indicated that he is keen to remain with the club, but was focusing on matters on the pitch, while his representatives handled details off it.

Walcott is the longest-serving player in the current squad and has made over 300 appearances for the north London club since his arrival from Southampton in 2006. According to BBC Sport, the 26-year-old forward has agreed a four-year deal worth £140,000-a-week, making him one of the highest earners at the club.

On the other hand, Cazorla, according to the Guardian, had reportedly agreed a two-year extension on his current deal earlier than Walcott, but it is claimed that the club held it back so they could announce both the deals simultaneously.

The Spanish international midfielder, who joined from Malaga in 2012, has gone on to become a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium and is one of the first names on Arsene Wenger's team sheet. He made 53 appearances for the Gunners in the 2014/15 campaign, more than any other Arsenal player.

The duo were both linked with moves away this summer, with Walcott attracting interest from Liverpool, according to the Mirror, while Cadena Cope suggested that Cazorla will return to Spain with Atletico Madrid.

The French manager has expressed his delight after two of his key stars committed their future to the club, and he believes that their commitment provides stability as well as a boost to the entire team ahead of the new campaign.

"We're delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad," Wenger said, as quoted on Arsenal's official site.

"As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We're very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality," the Frenchman added.