ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly set to loan out former Saints star Theo Walcott.

The 18-year-old joined from Southampton in January 2006, in a deal that could rise to £12m, but has failed to make much of an impression on the first team.

The England international has made just nine Premier League starts since making the switch to The Emirates Stadium.

According to reports in the national press today, a number of Premier League clubs have already been contacted about taking Walcott on until the end of the season.

Wenger hinted that Walcott could well be one of the young players at the club to be farmed out.

"There is a gap here between playing in the reserves and our first team," said the Arsenal boss.

"So I try to loan them to another club, to get them ready."