Football: Five players commit to Arsenal

From Left: Jenkinson, Ramsey, Wilshere,Gibbs and Oxlade being towered over by Manager, Arsene Wenger

England quartet Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson, plus Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, have all committed their futures to the North London club, it was announced.

But Walcott, who is at a contract impasse over his demands to play as a striker and not a winger, is yet to agree a new deal amidst reports he will be sold in January.

"We are delighted that these five young players have all signed new long-term contracts," boss Arsene Wenger said. "The plan is to build a team around a strong basis of young players, in order to get them to develop their talent at the club.

"Jack is certainly the best known, the leader of this group - but the other four players are exceptional footballers, and we’re very happy that we could conclude their new deals at the same time."

Wenger had said earlier in the week that he was seeking to build a side around local talent, as they understood the values of the club more and were less inclined to seek transfers to other clubs.

However, he is yet to convince Walcott - Arsenal's top scorer this season - with the England forward convinced his future lies in a more central role than that which he is currently employed.

The Frenchman admitted that his desire to 'localise' a club - which was the first in English football to field an all-foreign side - played a large part in the decision.

I hope this marks good things for the club in the future.

Puyol, Xavi and Messi

In a related development, Barcelona has announced on its official website that it has reached an agreement with Xavi and Carles Puyol over a contract extension until the summer of 2016, while Lionel Messi will stay with the club until 2018. The deals will be penned in the coming weeks.

In another development, Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova will have surgery on a saliva gland on Thursday followed by six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Vilanova had a cancerous tumour removed from the gland at the back of his throat in November 2011.The 44-year-old is expected to be in hospital for three to four days, but going forward he "could be able to mix work with his treatment", says Barca.

Vilanova

Assistant coach Jordi Roura will take charge of the team in the meantime.