Arsenal's young English stars such as Jack Wilshere to be offered incentive ... - Telegraph.co.uk

After his experiences in recent years, when Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Gaël Clichy and Alex Song all left, Wenger feels that he can get more stability from a core of British players. He is, though, still no nearer to persuading Theo Walcott to commit his future to the club. Walcott has been offered a five-year deal worth £75,000 a week, but the player wants reassurance about his future chances of playing as a striker and closer to £100,000 a week to reflect both his England status and marketability.

Although Wenger has said that he does eventually envisage playing Walcott through the middle, it is not something he has seriously trialled in first-team matches. Walcott scored Arsenal's goal against Everton on Wednesday night and he is the club's leading scorer this season.

"Those are the sort of positions that this season and, in the last few seasons, I have been quite deadly in," Walcott said. "When given a little sniff I am able to take it now. The goals show that. I think I scored 11 last ­season and 13 the year before. Not just that, but my general play as well. The assists are coming now, which is fantastic – and I am enjoying my football."

Doubt also surrounds Bacary Sagna, another senior first-team player, who, it is understood, has been offered only a one-year extension to a deal that currently expires in 2014. Jenkinson is emerging as a serious alternative in the right-back position and Wenger says that it is "not by coincidence" that Arsenal now have so many young British ­players.

"We look first at quality," the manager said. "If the quality is local, it is, of course, even better because it gives you more guarantee of stability because the players who are English, who play for Arsenal, are more likely to stay for a longer term than foreign players. But we look first at quality. That is the most important."

Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha is another young English talent who has attracted Wenger's interest, but the Arsenal manager will also look for experienced options from across Europe in certain key positions. A striker has been identified as a ­priority, with Fernando Llorente, Adrian Lopez, Marouane Fellaini and Stevan Jovetic all being monitored.

Cover at left-back would also be welcome, with Southampton's Luke Shaw being watched closely by most of the top English clubs. Arsenal, who did not directly replace Song, have also been watching Kevin Strootman, the Ajax and Holland holding midfielder. It is believed Strootman has also been scouted by Manchester United and would be valued at around £20 million.

Arsenal, though, have recently been boosted by a new sponsorship deal with Emirates and believe that they can compete for the best players in 2013. Wenger this week urged players to show their commitment to Arsenal by agreeing new deals.

"There is only one way to show it and that is to commit your long-term future to the club," he said.