Theo Walcott’s position as the fastest man at the club was pretty much unmatched until last year when Hector Bellerin out-did him in a 40 yard sprint.

Although the England man denied it, the young Spaniard explained how his training work ensured he became the jet-heeled champion of training ground sprints.

And it seems like he’s consolidated his position with another victory behind closed doors.

“Everyone keeps telling me different numbers,” he said, “but I know I beat Theo by literally one hundredth of a second after he had beaten Thierry, so you can do the maths.

“It was very close last year but this year I beat Theo by more of a distance. He won’t tell you that, though!”

Of course Walcott has had an injury to contend with, one which some people say affects a player’s pace, but perhaps it’s just that Bellerin has become even quicker himself.

Fingers crossed he can use that pace to good advantage tonight against Liverpool.