Arsenal starlet Theo Walcott admits he was intimidated by Thierry Henry when he first joined from Southampton.

He told the Telegraph: "He's a brilliant player, a brilliant man to be around, but when I first started I thought I have to pass to him because he's the top man."

According to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, Walcott's great gift is not only his pace and balance but "the timing of his runs". Physically he is also becoming stronger and there is now more consistency to his game.

"You can't play well in every game, it's impossible," Walcott admits. "I've got a brilliant manager who doesn't want to burn me out. I can improve my heading - I could score four goals a season just getting on the back post. I need to work on my left foot as well."