Arsene Wenger insists Theo Walcott has grown from a boy to a man during his nine-year stay at Arsenal.
Walcott made his Arsenal debut nine years ago today as a substitute in the club’s first game at the Emirates, a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
The England international joined the club at the tender age of 16 from Southampton. Since then an injury-riven career has still seen the club’s longest-serving player contribute 76 goals in 302 appearances.
And Wenger has praised the 26-year-old for the development he has shown during his time at Arsenal.
"Of course he had to go through bad injuries and disappointments and I believe he is a man today, a man who knows what he wants and has been faithful to our club. It was a great signing," Wenger told the club's website.
"He has become very mature, he has gone through difficult periods so he is a very strong man.
"He is a man today, when he arrived here he was a boy, a little boy who discovered a world where he did not know anything about it."
Walcott has yet to start for the club during the Gunners’ opening league fixtures but led the line in the Community Shield against Chelsea.
The forward has further extended his stay at the Emirates by signing a new four deal last month.
