Arsenal's Walcott rules out loan move

Arsenal's Theo Walcott celebrates after scoring a goal during a Carling Cup match against Tottenham at the Emirates football stadium on January 9. The teenager has ruled out a move to another club on loan in order to fast-track his development.

Arsenal teenager Theo Walcott has ruled out a move to another club on loan in order to fast-track his development.

Two years after becoming the most expensive 16-year-old in football history, Walcott is still struggling to secure first-team opportunities at the Emirates.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger recently admitted that the forward had not developed as quickly as he had anticipated when he agreed to pay Southampton up to 12 million pounds to sign him.

Those remarks triggered enquiries from teams keen on taking Walcott out on loan and there had been suggestions that he could benefit from playing regularly.

But the 18-year-old believes he can develop just as quickly by staying where he is.

"Every day I play at Arsenal, I train with some of the best players in the world," he said.

"My game is obviously going to benefit most from being around these people. With respect to other clubs, that is not going to happen anywhere else.

"That's why I want to push myself every day with Arsenal and try to get into the first team as often as I possibly can."

Wenger has acknowedged that Walcott's progress may have been hampered by his attempts to use him as a wide player rather than in his preferred role of central striker -- and the player is looking forward to more chances in that position.

"It has been frustrating not to be playing up front, as I believe I will end up as a striker," Walcott said. "The boss seems to think that way, too."