Arsenal closing in on Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech as Arsene Wenger grows confident of sealing £11m deal next week

Arsenal will push to complete an £11million swoop for Petr Cech by the end of next week.

And in a further boost, Theo Walcott looks likely to commit his long-term future to the club following positive talks over a new deal.

But it is the potential capture of goalkeeper Cech that will excite Gunners supporters. 

Sportsmail understands that Arsene Wenger is growing increasingly confident of concluding a deal to sign the Czech Republic shot-stopper this summer.

Arsenal have already made a formal enquiry to Chelsea about a move for Cech, but talks will accelerate next week.

The Gunners have remained sceptical over Chelsea's willingness to sell the four-time Premier League winner to them given their rivalry. 

But Arsenal have received encouragement that the Blues will allow, albeit reluctantly, Cech to move across London.

Next week's discussions will centre around finalising a transfer fee. Chelsea are demanding a minimum of £10million for Cech.

And, if expected, that issue is resolved then the goalkeeper should complete a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Paris Saint-Germain have also made a formal enquiry for the 33-year-old, but Cech's preference is to join the Gunners so not to uproot his family who are settled in London.

His intention was always to play in Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Iceland before deciding his future.

And with that clash out of the way, Cech will look to confirm his next destination as quickly as possible with Arsenal the firm favourites to win the race for his signature.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has always maintained he wants Cech, who lost the No 1 jersey to Thibault Courtois last season, to stay at Stamford Bridge, but privately the Portuguese will not stand in the keeper's way given his outstanding service to the club.

Arsenal's pursuit of Cech raises serious question marks over Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina's futures in north London.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are also growing increasingly confident of tying England star Walcott down to a new deal this summer.

Talks over a new deal for the forward, whose deal expires at the end of next season, took place earlier this month.

And the discussions are understood to have pleased both parties, who are confident a deal for Walcott to stay will reached.

Walcott's main focus with regards to his new deal has centred around assurances over his level of playing time after struggling for regular football last season. 

But the forward struck a timely reminder of his qualities with a hat trick in the win over West Brom on the final day of the season and the opener in Arsenal's comfortable FA Cup final triumph over Aston Villa.

And Walcott, who is set to feature for England against Slovenia tomorrow, looks likely to extend his Gunners career this summer.