‘I’ll never forget that image’ – Theo Walcott reveals how bizarre Arsene Wenger moment convinced him to join Arsenal

THEO WALCOTT has revealed however Arsene Wenger convinced him to articulation Arsenal.

Walcott joined the Gunners from Southampton successful 2006, earlier making his debut for them arsenic a 17-year-old.

The 35-year-old lifted the lid connected the woody that took him to North London amid involvement from Liverpool, Chelsea and a precocious connection from Manchester United.

Speaking connected Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, helium said: "There was [options for me]. Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd came successful with a precise precocious bid which I wasn't alert of astatine the time.

"[But] To beryllium honorable my caput was already made up arsenic soon arsenic Arsene Wenger got involved.

"I retrieve going backmost to his spot with David Dein.

"His sofa was a small spot little than this and his legs were higher than his existent look itself being however gangly helium was.

"(Laughing) I'll ne'er hide that representation it was precise unusual.

"And Thierry Henry of people was a subordinate that I was truly inspired to larn from.

"As soon arsenic I had Arsenal progressive I conscionable privation to spell determination and play with him.

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"It was my imagination to play with idiosyncratic similar 'that' and if you inquire immoderate kid if they privation the accidental to play with their prima they're going to bash it.

"And it was an casual option."

Walcott had the accidental to play with Henry for 1 play earlier helium departed for Barcelona.

However, having go 1 of the main figures astatine the Emirates, Walcott was inactive astatine the nine erstwhile Henry made his instrumentality successful 2012.

He was substituted disconnected the tract moments earlier Henry's celebrated precocious victor against Sunderland.

Walcott scored 108 goals successful 397 games for the Gunners overall.

He yet near the nine successful 2018 to articulation Everton.

After 85 appearances with the Toffees Walcott returned to Southampton, initially connected indebtedness successful 2020.

The power was made imperishable the pursuing summer, with Walcott starring for the Saints for different 2 seasons earlier announcing his retirement.

He besides earned 47 caps for the England nationalist team, scoring 8 goals.