Theo Walcott contract latest: Arsenal striker predicts future will be 'resolved' but warns 'it will take time'

England international scored opening goal in FA Cup final victory

Walcott scored Arsenal's first goal against Aston Villa (Getty Images)

Theo Walcott is confident his Arsenal future will be resolved but had warned "it will take time".

The England international has just a year to run on his current contract and after scoring the opening goal in the 4-0 FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa, offered a reminder of his worth to the club.

The former Southampton player ined the rest of the squad for Sunday's open-top bus parade around the streets of Highbury and Islington following the win at Wembley.

He said: "I am sure things will get resolved. I just want to enjoy today.

"I have got England coming up and then we can think about that process, but it will take time, I am sure."

Thousands of Arsenal fans braved the rain to cheer the squad from the Emirates Stadium to a civic reception at Islington Town Hall, celebrating the club's record 12th FA Cup victory after successfully retaining the trophy.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ from the Arsenal team bus, Walcott added: "We just showed it has been a great success this year, it has been a step up, to finish third (in the Premier League) and win the FA Cup in consecutive years. We want more and more of this.

"These players have the trust in each other and this has got to be a stepping stone now to challenge for the title, because this is what all of these fans dream of.

"We need to do it for them, they have waited a long time."