Theo James Walcott (born 16 March 1989) is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays for Arsenal and the England national team. Walcott is a product of the Southampton F.C. Academy. He is a striker who is usually deployed on the right wing as a wide forward to exploit his speed. Walcott won the prestigious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2006.
He was the subject of worldwide media attention, following his shock inclusion to the 2006 English World Cup squad.
On 30 May 2006, Walcott became England's youngest ever senior football player with an age of 17 years and 75 days. On 6 September 2008, he made his first competitive start in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra, and in the following match against Croatia on 10 September he opened his senior international goals tally and became the youngest player in history to score a hat-trick for England.
Walcott is well known for his blistering pace, with Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola declaring that “you would need a pistol to stop him.” He has been likened by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger to Walcott's teammate, Thierry Henry. FIFA World Player of the Year winner Lionel Messi has described Walcott as "one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against."
