Theo Walcott profile
Aged just 17, Walcott had not yet even made an appearance in The Premiership when included in the World Cup squad, let alone in the senior international set-up, but big things are expected of the whizz-kid who was born in Middlesex before moving to Berkshire.
"Theo Walcott is a very young player, but has already shown that he is a talented player with huge potential. He is versatile, incredibly dedicated, shows great determination to succeed and is blessed with electric pace. Theo needs games at the moment, but he has something very special."
Arsene Wenger
The youngster was always punching above his weight, playing for England Under-17s a year ahead of schedule.
He excelled at that level as he scored five goals in just 11 caps, and England officials joined the ranks of those who thought he had a big future ahead of him.
No-one expected his break to come so quickly though, as he became Southampton's youngest ever player aged 16 years and 143 days when The Saints took on Wolves on the opening day of The Championship.
Harry Redknapp was a keen admirer of his and Walcott continued his fast-track to the top with his first senior goal against Leeds in October 2005, despite a 2-1 defeat.
The Sky Sports TV cameras caught Walcott in action in December against Luton and he stole the show with a delightfully lobbed winner at St Mary's.
13 starts and ten substitute appearances later, and Walcott was hot property, with a number of Premiership sides sniffing around.
New Saints boss George Burley urged the youngster not to leave the club just yet but Arsenal's bid of £5 million, which could rise to £12 million, forced the club's hand and Walcott left for Highbury.
Since his January transfer Walcott scored two goals in two reserve appearances, but he has yet to make a senior debut.
Walcott made Arsene Wenger's bench for the Premiership game against Birmingham and the UEFA Champions League ties against Juventus and Real Madrid, but did not get a game.
Wenger speaks highly of him despite this and Sven Goran Eriksson has taken a massive gamble on including him in his World Cup squad.
A winger who can also play up front, Walcott's main weapon is his blistering pace, but he will have it all to do with no experience at all to his name and playing on the biggest stage of all.
Eriksson will be hoping that Walcott can announce himself on the big stage just as Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney have done, although both of those at least had some Premiership experience under their belts.
If he can get near to delivering on the huge promise he has shown, he could yet prove to be England's secret weapon, but such is the speed of his rise he was due to be playing in the England Under-19 championship qualifiers at the end of May, but he now has much bigger fish to fry.
