Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists contract negotiations with midfielder Mathieu Flamini are "on course" and hopes his compatriot will sign a new deal next month.

The 24-year-old France international is in discussions with the club as his current deal expires at the end of the season.

He is technically free to discuss terms with other teams but Wenger expects him to commit himself to the Gunners sooner rather than later.

"We are on course there, negotiations are going well and we hope to sort that out in April," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

The Arsenal manager also hailed the determination of young forward Theo Walcott, after the former Southampton player earned an England recall for next week's friendly with France.

"He's made progress quietly and slowly, like I prefer; I don't like one-day stars," Wenger said. "Theo has a quiet but firm determination behind his soft appearance, his young appearance, and I like that.

"He has a consistent way to behave, which is always a sign of a good career."

Brazil national team captain Gilberto Silva has been tipped to leave the Emirates Stadium in the summer after finding first-team chances limited this season.

Wenger admitted his departure is possible but stressed he will sit down with the midfielder.

"It's too early to say that \[he will leave], it is more down to Gilberto's desire because at the moment he does not play.

"We will sit down together, we are adults, Gilberto is a very strong man with a big personality and he will know what he wants to do at the end of the season. I'm happy if he stays but we'll sort it out at the end of the season.

"He's a fantastic player, a fantastic person and has a lot of credit within the group. He has a lot of quality, but his bad luck was that the team started (the season) without him and did well."