Next Game

Indonesia All Stars v Arsenal

Sunday, 14 July 2013, 20:30

Friendly Match

St James' Park, Newcastle

Last Game

Newcastle 0 - 1 Arsenal

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Theo relishing St Mary's trip

Arsenal striker Theo Walcott says his return to former club Southampton on New Year's Day will be "special."

Last Updated: 02/01/13 at 07:26 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League. Click here to bet.

Former Saints Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Former Saints Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Walcott came through the youth ranks at Southampton before joining Arsenal in a big-money move as a raw teenager in January 2005.

Arsenal raided the Saints again last summer when securing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a £12m deal.

Walcott's celebration when he scored against Saints in Arsenal's 6-1 victory earlier this season was muted, and he told the club's website: "It will be a very tough occasion against Southampton, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

"It will be a very special moment for me and Alex, and also for some of the fans to see us come back to the club."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger feels Southampton deserve praise for their player development.

"They have done a fabulous job - you also look at Gareth Bale and what he is doing now at Tottenham," he said.

"It is down to the quality of their scouting, the quality of their coaching and education."

Saints boss Nigel Adkins said he was looking forward to seeing his former charge Oxlade-Chamberlain back in Hampshire.

"I think he will get a fantastic reception," the Saints boss said. "He is one of the players that came through out system.

"We are excited watching him play. We'd love him to still be at Southampton, but he is an Arsenal player now and an England international.

"I went to watch him against Reading the other night and he was exhilarating, with his acceleration to go away, a desire to get on the football. He is a joy to watch.

"I think everybody at Southampton is proud of what he is doing now."

Bet with SkyBet  Premier League. Click here to bet.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Champions League final: Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says side can bounce back

Jurgen Klopp is backing Borussia Dortmund to reach another Champions League final despite their defeat to Bayern Munich.

Champions League final: Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben relieved by Wembley win

Bayern Munich hero Arjen Robben admitted winning the UEFA Champions League buried his previous demons.

Champions League final: Mats Hummels salutes Bayern Munich after Wembley win

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels admitted Bayern Munich deserved to be crowned champions of Europe.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved