Arsene Wenger believes Theo Walcott is still Arsenal’s speediest player.

The 26-year-old’s 40m sprint record was reportedly beaten by Hector Bellerin in a pre-season test while the forward was recovering from a serious knee injury.

World indoor 60m gold medalist Richard Kilty recently challenged both Walcott and Bellerin to a race, and Wenger says he is certain that sprinters are quicker than footballers.

"You know, a football player runs with football boots on grass, it's different kinds of runs, it's not only pure pace"

“I believe that Walcott is our fastest player, and I agree completely that the sprinters are quicker than football players, but it's different runs,” the boss said.

“You know, a football player runs with football boots on grass, it's different kinds of runs, it's not only pure pace.

“The pace in our job starts with the brain and of course then you put in action what you analysed on the pitch.

“But pure speed, I am convinced that the sprinters, who are specialists, are quicker than football players.”