England master striker Alan Shearer heaped praise on Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott after his hat-trick in victory over Newcastle United.

Shearer wrote in The Sun: "Walcott's hat-trick against my club Newcastle in the 7-3 win on Saturday showed him at his greatest. He has wanted to play as a centre-forward and his goals showed what a centre-forward is all about.

"His first one, in particular, impressed me from the arcing run to beat the offside trap to the wonderful finish into the far bottom corner.

"The third showed a player with tenacity, determination and desire to get that hat-trick.

"He also showed in his cross for Olivier Giroud for the fifth goal that he is still happy to create for others.

"Many Arsenal fans would no doubt love to see them operating as a pair."