Former England star Theo Walcott admits he rejected the advances of Chelsea and Liverpool when he first signed for Arsenal.

Walcott is currently on loan at Southampton from Everton.

The veteran signed for the Gunners when he was still a teenager in 2006.

Now he has revealed he was wanted by two gigantic clubs in the Blues and Reds.

"Chelsea came in, so did Liverpool and Arsenal. It was one thing that my idol was there – Thierry Henry. Plus Arsene Wenger gave so many opportunities to young players," Walcott told talkSPORT.

"I just thought I couldn't say no to them and I wouldn't change it for the world. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

"As soon as I walked in, the first person I saw was Henry. I thought, 'Bloody hell!' I looked so starstruck. Then Robert Pires comes in, then Freddie Ljungberg, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole. I was like a kid with his autograph book.

"I've never changed from that little kid up to now."