Theo Walcott has revealed that him and Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, have been having secret pow wows over the forward’s development into an out-and-out striker and the advice is obviously paying off.

Walcott has shown this season that not only is he capable of becoming a striker but he really, really wants to. He’s developing his game, learning new skills and, most importantly, asking advice from tried and tested professionals. One of these professionals is none other than Henry, who’s currently helping coach our youth team at London Colney.

Thierry Henry of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Theo Walcott
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 09: Thierry Henry of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Theo Walcott at the end of the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 9, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Walcott has revealed that unlike many players his age, he’s not afraid or embarrassed to ask for help if it means bettering his game.

“We just speak at the training ground, in a room with a TV and the games,” he said.

“He’s just given me his analysis of myself and if I’ve needed to ask him some questions about it, he’s always there.

“Sometimes you see this generation of players, they’re actually scared to go up to coaches and ask something.”

He added, “I’ve learned over the years not to be afraid to ask because they’re there to help you. That’s one thing I missed maybe a couple of years ago.

“I thought, ‘I need to know something here. I need to know’.

“Some players would shy away from that rather than actually going after the managers and asking what he wants from me and what I can do to actually improve.

“I can see this generation of players coming through now starting to learn that.”

A slightly disturbing revelation from the 26-year-old however is that some of the newer members of the Arsenal youth system don’t even know who the King is.

“Some of them are only 13-14 and they’re playing under-18s because they’re that good, so some of them don’t know who he is,” he said.

“Honestly, it’s mad. But the great thing about Thierry is that because he’s still fresh-faced and young, he knows what athletes are like and he knows what footballers want and how to work them, how to get them to click.”

Blimey, what are they teaching kids in school these days?