Ray Wilkins has questioned why Theo Walcott would leave Arsenal when he’s earning good money, despite the lack of playing time in the last 12 months.

Walcott has yet to start a single game in the Premier League this season, and has been limited to appearances in the cup competitions.

He’s been linked with a move away from Arsenal in the January transfer window. However, Wilkins feels Walcott could be on too good a wage to make the move.

He likened his situation to that of Jesse Lingard’s at Manchester United, who is another English player earning big wages despite not being a key player.

“I think Jesse’s role is coming off the bench, he’s not starter quality,” Wilkins told Sporting Bet. “He’s done very well as a homegrown player, but at best – he’s a bit part player.

“The problem is that he’s on a very handsome wage at United, which he won’t get elsewhere, so in his situation why would he move.

“He needs first team football, but at the same time he’s earning a lot of money at his home club. Theo Walcott at Arsenal is in a similar situation.”

Walcott lost his starting place in the Arsenal first-team after the change of formation last season. He used to play in addition to Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but suddenly found himself up against them in direct competition.

Unfortunately, Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi have also moved ahead of him in the pecking order, hence his lack of game time in the Premier League. There’s a feeling that his time at Arsenal is coming to a natural conclusion.

His high wages may not even be an issue for interested clubs, who have become richer thanks to the Premier League’s lucrative television deal. Arsene Wenger, though, has recently said that he would like Walcott to stay.