Topics: Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Arsene Wenger, Arsenal, English Premier League
Ahead of their Community Shield clash with Chelsea, two of the Gunners’ biggest names commit their future to the north London club

The contract saga which had Arsenal fans worried over the future of Theo Walcott is now finally over, as the north London club announced on their official website that the Englishman and team-mate Santi Cazorla have put pen to paper over an extension

Both players’ deal at the Emirates were almost up, with only a year remaining, meaning the club either had to cash in on the two stars this summer transfer window, or risk losing them for nothing the following season.

Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Arsenal, Everton, Barclays Asia Trophy 2015

The Gunners’ Spanish playmaker, a fan favorite ever since his arrival in 2012 from Malaga, has constantly been linked with a return to La Liga to join Atletico Madrid.

The 30-year-old, who has amassed 27 goals and 148 appearances for Wenger’s crew, enjoyed a strong season last term, relishing in a new, deeper midfield role, before receiving widespread acclaim for his Man of the Match performance in Arsenal’s BAT 2015 final triumph over Everton.

Walcott, after missing the majority of the 2014-15 campaign, returned to the starting XI towards the end of the season, scoring a hat-trick in the final game of English Premier League term, netting the opening goal in 2015 FA Cup final, then impressing in the club’s pre-season.

The Englishman is the club’s longest serving player, having arrived from Southampton in 2006, and will now remain in London for four more years, as revealed via the player’s Twitter account.

"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 told Arsenal.com.

"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."

Both players will be hoping to start the Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley, on Sunday.